Zoom lens, optical apparatus, and method for manufacturing the zoom lens

ABSTRACT

A zoom lens includes a first lens group having negative refractive power; a second lens group having positive refractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive power and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. Upon varying magnification, distances between the first lens group and the second lens group, between the second lens group and the third lens group and between the third lens group and the fourth lens group vary. The second lens group includes a front lens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lens group. Each of the front lens group and the rear lens group includes at least one positive lens. At least a part of the lenses in the second lens group is moved as a group to have a component in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a zoom lens suitable for an imagingapparatus such as a digital camera, a video camera or a camera for asilver salt film, an optical apparatus, and a method for manufacturingthe zoom lens.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, an imaging element to be used in an optical apparatussuch as digital cameras has had high pixels. And, high opticalperformance has been sought for an imaging lens to be used in an imagingapparatus equipped with an imaging element having high pixels.

Under such background, there has been proposed a zoom lens whichcomprises, in order from an object side, a first lens group havingnegative refractive power, a second lens group having positiverefractive power, a third lens group having negative refractive powerand a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, whereinmagnification varying is carried out by varying distances between theneighboring lens groups. For example, refer to Japanese Patentapplication Laid-Open Gazette No. 2001-343584.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent application Laid-Open Gazette No.2001-343584.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, the conventional zoom lens as mentioned above has not hadsufficient optical performances.

The present invention is made in view of the above-described problem,and has an object to provide a zoom lens capable of realizing anexcellent optical performance, an optical apparatus equipped with thezoom lens, and a method for manufacturing the zoom lens.

Means for Solving the Problem

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to a firstaspect of the present invention, there is provided a zoom lenscomprising, in order from an object side: a first lens group havingnegative refractive power; a second lens group having positiverefractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive powerand a fourth lens group having positive refractive power,

upon varying magnification, a distance between the first lens group andthe second lens group, a distance between the second lens group and thethird lens group and a distance between the third lens group and thefourth lens group being varied;

the second lens group including, in order from the object side, a frontlens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lens group;

each of the front lens group and the rear lens group including at leastone negative lens; and

at least a part of the lenses in the second lens group being moved as amovable group to have a component in a direction perpendicular to theoptical axis.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda zoom lens comprising, in order from an object side: a first lens grouphaving negative refractive power; a second lens group having positiverefractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive powerand a fourth lens group having positive refractive power;

upon varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephotoend state, a distance between the first lens group and the second lensgroup, a distance between the second lens group and the third lens groupand a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens groupbeing varied;

the second lens group including, in order from the object side, a frontlens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lens group;

each of the front lens group and rear lens group including at least onenegative lens; and

at least a part of the lenses in the rear lens group being moved to havea component in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda zoom lens comprising, in order from an object side: a first lens grouphaving negative refractive power; a second lens group having positiverefractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive powerand a fourth lens group having positive refractive power;

upon varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephotoend state, the third lens group being moved along the optical axis, adistance between the first lens group and the second lens group, adistance between the second lens group and the third lens group and adistance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group beingvaried; and

the following conditional expression being satisfied:0.50<m3/fw<0.80where m3 denotes an amount of movement of the third lens group from thewide angle end state to the telephoto end state, and fw denotes a focallength of the zoom lens in the wide angle end state.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda zoom lens comprising, in order from an object side: a first lens grouphaving negative refractive power; a second lens group having positiverefractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive powerand a fourth lens group having positive refractive power;

the second lens group including, in order from the object side, a firstsegment group having positive refractive power, a second segment grouphaving negative refractive power, an aperture stop and a third segmentgroup;

upon varying magnification, the first lens group, the second lens groupand the third lens group being moved along the optical axis, and theposition of the fourth lens group being fixed;

upon focusing, at least a part of the third lens group being moved alongthe optical axis;

the first segment group or the second segment group in the second lensgroup being moved, as a movable group, to have a component in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis; and

the following conditional expression being satisfied:0.15<|fw/fvr|<0.50where fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in the wide angle endstate, and fvr denotes a focal length of said movable group.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is providedan optical apparatus equipped with the zoom lens according to the firstaspect of the present invention.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda zoom lens according to the second aspect of the present invention.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an optical apparatus equipped with a zoom lens according to thethird aspect of the present invention.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an optical apparatus equipped with a zoom lens according to thefourth aspect of the present invention.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for manufacturing a zoom lens comprising, in order from anobject side: a first lens group having negative refractive power; asecond lens group having positive refractive power; a third lens grouphaving negative refractive power and a fourth lens group having positiverefractive power, comprising the steps of:

disposing the second lens group to include, in order from the objectside, a front lens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lens group;

disposing the front lens group and the rear lens group such that eachincludes at least one negative lens;

disposing such that, upon varying magnification, a distance between thefirst lens group and the second lens group, a distance between thesecond lens group and the third lens group and a distance between thethird lens group and the fourth lens group are varied; and

disposing at least a part of the lenses in the second lens group to bemoved as a movable group to have a component in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for manufacturing a zoom lens comprising, in order from anobject side: a first lens group having negative refractive power; asecond lens group having positive refractive power; a third lens grouphaving negative refractive power and a fourth lens group having positiverefractive power; comprising the steps of:

disposing the second lens group to include, in order from the objectside, a front lens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lens group;

disposing such that each of the front lens group and rear lens groupincludes at least one negative lens;

disposing such that, upon varying magnification from a wide-angle endstate to a telephoto end state, a distance between the first lens groupand the second lens group, a distance between the second lens group andthe third lens group and a distance between the third lens group and thefourth lens group are varied; and

disposing such that at least a part of the lenses in the rear lens groupis moved to have a component in a direction perpendicular to the opticalaxis.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for manufacturing a zoom lens comprising, in orderfrom an object side: a first lens group having negative refractivepower; a second lens group having positive refractive power; a thirdlens group having negative refractive power and a fourth lens grouphaving positive refractive power; comprising the steps of:

disposing such that, upon varying magnification from a wide-angle endstate to a telephoto end state, the third lens group is moved along theoptical axis, and a distance between the first lens group and the secondlens group, a distance between the second lens group and the third lensgroup and a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lensgroup are varied; and

disposing such that the third lens group satisfies the followingconditional expression:0.50<m3/fw<0.80where m3 denotes an amount of movement of the third lens group from thewide angle end state to the telephoto end state, and fw denotes a focallength of the zoom lens in the wide angle end state.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for manufacturing a zoom lens comprising, in orderfrom an object side: a first lens group having negative refractivepower; a second lens group having positive refractive power; a thirdlens group having negative refractive power and a fourth lens grouphaving positive refractive power; comprising the steps of:

disposing the second lens group to include, in order from the objectside, a first segment group having positive refractive power, a secondsegment group having negative refractive power, an aperture stop and athird segment group;

disposing such that, upon varying magnification, the position of thefourth lens group is fixed, and the first lens group, the second lensgroup and the third lens group are moved along the optical axis;

disposing such that, upon focusing, at least a part of the third lensgroup is moved along the optical axis;

disposing such that the first segment group or the second segment groupin the second lens group is moved as a movable group to have a componentin a direction perpendicular to the optical axis; and

disposing such that the movable group satisfies the followingconditional expression:0.15<|fw/fvr|<0.50where fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in the wide angle endstate, and fvr denotes a focal length of said movable group.

Effect of the Invention

According to the first, fifth and ninth aspects of the presentinvention, it is possible to provide a zoom lens which can correctchromatic aberration excellently and has superb optical performances, anoptical apparatus equipped with the zoom lens and a method formanufacturing the zoom lens.

According to the second, the sixth and the tenth aspects of the presentinvention, it is possible to provide a zoom lens which can correctchromatic aberration excellently upon both of conducting vibrationreduction and non-conducting vibration reduction and has excellentoptical performances, an optical apparatus equipped with the zoom lensand a method for manufacturing the zoom lens.

According to the third, the seventh and the eleventh aspects of thepresent invention, it is possible to provide a zoom lens whose entirelength is small and which is compact in size and has excellent opticalperformances, an optical apparatus equipped with the zoom lens and amethod for manufacturing the zoom lens.

According to the fourth, the eighth and the twelfth aspects of thepresent invention, it is possible to provide a zoom lens which iscompact in size and has excellent optical performances upon conductingvibration reduction, an optical apparatus and a method for manufacturingthe zoom lens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lens ina wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to afirst Example that is common to the first and second embodiments of thepresent application.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom op lens tical system according to the first Example of thepresent application in a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state,upon focusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are respectively graphs showing coma aberration uponconducting vibration reduction of the zoom lens according to the firstExample of the present application in a wide angle end state and in atelephoto end state, upon focusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lens ina wide angle end state and a telephoto end state, according to a secondExample that is common to the first and second embodiments of thepresent application.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the second Example of the present applicationin a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state, upon focusing on aninfinitely distant object.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are respectively graphs showing coma aberration uponconducting vibration reduction of the zoom lens according to the secondExample of the present application in a wide angle end state and in atelephoto end state, upon focusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lens ina wide angle end state and a telephoto end state, according to a thirdExample that is common to the first and second embodiments of thepresent application.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the third Example of the present applicationin a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state, upon focusing on aninfinitely distant object.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are respectively graphs showing coma aberration uponconducting vibration reduction of the zoom lens according to the thirdExample of the present application in a wide angle end state and in atelephoto end state, upon focusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to afourth Example that is common to the first and second embodiments of thepresent application.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the fourth Example of the present applicationin a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state, upon focusing on aninfinitely distant object.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are respectively graphs showing coma aberration uponconducting vibration reduction of the zoom lens according to the fourthExample of the present application in a wide angle end state and in atelephoto end state, upon focusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to afifth Example that is common to the first and second embodiments of thepresent application.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are respectively various aberrations of the zoom lensaccording to the fifth Example of the present application in a wideangle state and in a telephoto end state, upon focusing on an infinitelydistant object.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are respectively graphs showing coma aberration uponconducting vibration reduction of the zoom lens according to the fifthExample of the present application in a wide angle end state and in atelephoto end state, upon focusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and a telephoto end state, according to asixth Example that is common to the first and second embodiments of thepresent application.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the sixth Example of the present applicationin a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state, upon focusing on aninfinitely distant object.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are respectively graphs showing coma aberration uponconducting vibration reduction of the zoom lens according to the sixthExample of the present application in a wide angle end state and in atelephoto end state, upon focusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and a telephoto end state, according to aseventh Example that is common to the first and second embodiments ofthe present application.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the seventh Example of the presentapplication in a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state, uponfocusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are respectively graphs showing coma aberration uponconducting vibration reduction of the zoom lens according to the seventhExample of the present application in a wide angle end state and in atelephoto end state, upon focusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 22A and 22B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and a telephoto end state, according to aneighth Example of the first embodiment of the present application.

FIGS. 23A and 23B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the eighth Example of the present applicationin a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state, upon focusing on aninfinitely distant object.

FIGS. 24A and 24B are respectively graphs showing coma aberration uponconducting vibration reduction of the zoom lens according to the eighthExample of the present application in a wide angle end state and in atelephoto end state, upon focusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 25A and 25B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and a telephoto end state, according to aninth Example of the first embodiment of the present application.

FIGS. 26A and 26B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the ninth Example of the present applicationin a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state, upon focusing on aninfinitely distant object.

FIGS. 27A and 27B are respectively graphs showing coma aberration uponconducting vibration reduction of the zoom lens according to the ninthExample of the present application in a wide angle end state and in atelephoto end state, upon focusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 28A and 28B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to atenth Example of a third embodiment of the present application.

FIGS. 29A and 29B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the tenth Example of the present applicationin a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state, upon focusing on aninfinitely distant object.

FIGS. 30A and 30B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to aneleventh Example of the third embodiment of the present application.

FIGS. 31A and 31B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the eleventh Example of the presentapplication in a wide angle state, and in a telephoto end state, uponfocusing on an infinitely distance object.

FIGS. 32A and 32B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and a telephoto end state, according to atwelfth Example of the third embodiment of the present application.

FIGS. 33A and 33B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the twelfth Example of the presentapplication in a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state, uponfocusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 34A and 35B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to athirteenth Example of the third embodiment of the present application.

FIGS. 35A and 35B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the thirteenth Example of the presentapplication in a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state, uponfocusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 36A and 36B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to afourteenth Example of a fourth embodiment of the present application.

FIGS. 37A and 37B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the fourteenth Example of the presentapplication in a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state, uponfocusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 38A and 38B are respectively graphs showing coma aberration uponconducting vibration reduction of the zoom lens system according to thefourteenth Example of the present application in a wide angle end stateand in a telephoto end state, upon focusing on an infinitely distantobject.

FIGS. 39A and 39B are graphs showing various aberrations of the zoomlens according to the 14-th Example of the present application in a wideangle state and in a telephoto end state, upon focusing on a closedistance object.

FIGS. 40A and 41B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to a15-th Example of the fourth embodiment of the present application.

FIGS. 41A and 41B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the 15-th Example of the present applicationin a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state, upon focusing on aninfinitely distant object.

FIGS. 42A and 42B are respectively graphs showing coma aberration uponconducting vibration reduction of the zoom lens according to the 15-thExample of the present application in a wide angle end state and in atelephoto end state, upon focusing on an infinitely distant object.

FIGS. 43A and 43B are respectively graphs showing various aberrations ofthe zoom lens according to the 15-th Example of the present applicationin a wide angle state and in a telephoto end state, upon focusing on aninfinitely distant object.

FIG. 44 is a configuration of a camera equipped with the zoom lensaccording to the first to fourth embodiments of the present application.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart schematically showing a method for manufacturingthe zoom lens according to the first embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart schematically showing a method for manufacturingthe zoom lens according to the second embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart schematically showing a method for manufacturingthe zoom lens according to the third embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart schematically showing a method for manufacturingthe zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment of the presentapplication.

EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a zoom lens, an optical apparatus and a method formanufacturing the zoom lens, according to a first embodiment of thepresent application will be explained.

A zoom lens according to the first embodiment of the present applicationcomprises, in order from an object side: a first lens group havingnegative refractive power; a second lens group having positiverefractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive powerand a fourth lens group having positive refractive power; upon varyingmagnification, a distance between the first lens group and the secondlens group, a distance between the second lens group and the third lensgroup and a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lensgroup being varied; the second lens group including, in order from anobject side, a front lens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lensgroup; each of the front lens group and the rear lens group including atleast one negative lens; and at least a part of the lenses in the rearlens group being moved as a movable group to have a component in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis. Herein, the front lensgroup means a lens group comprising optical element(s) disposed at anobject side of the aperture stop in the second lens group. The rear lensgroup means a lens group comprising optical element(s) disposed at animage side of the aperture stop in the second lens group.

In the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of the presentapplication, as described above, at least a part of the lenses in thesecond lens group is moved as a movable group in a direction including acomponent perpendicular to the optical axis, thereby it is possible toconduct correction of image blur caused by camera shake as well asvibration, that is, to conduct vibration reduction.

In the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of the presentapplication, as described above, the second lens group includes, inorder from the object side, a front lens group, an aperture stop, and arear lens group, and each of the front lens group and rear lens groupincludes at least one negative lens. According to this configuration,while the second lens group has positive refractive power, it ispossible to correct chromatic aberration within the second lens group,so that it is possible to attain a zoom lens that can correct chromaticaberration and has excellent optical performances.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the front lens group haspositive refractive power. Due to this configuration, the second lensgroup may be made to have positive refractive power, so a wide anglezoom lens having four group configuration of negative positive negativepositive can be realized.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the rear lens group haspositive refractive power. Due to this configuration, the second lensgroup may be made to have positive refractive power, so a wide anglezoom lens having four group configuration of negative positive negativepositive can be realized.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the second lens groupcomprises, in order from the object side, a front lens group havingpositive refractive power, an aperture stop and a rear lens group havingpositive refractive power. Due to this configuration, symmetricarrangement can be made easily by distributing refractive power in thesecond lens group in front and rear of the aperture stop, therebycorrection of spherical aberration and correction of coma aberration maybe balanced well and excellent corrections can be made.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that at least one positive lensand at least one negative lens are included in the front lens group andin the rear lens group in the second lens group. Due to thisconfiguration, degree of freedom of correction of chromatic aberrationmay be secured in comparison with a single lens configuration, so it ispossible to set suitably refractive index and Abbe number of each lenscomposing the front lens group and the rear lens group. Further, sincethe rear lens group includes at least one positive lens and at least onenegative lens, corrections of longitudinal chromatic aberration andlateral chromatic aberration upon conducting no vibration reduction andcorrections of longitudinal chromatic aberration and lateral chromaticaberration upon conducting the vibration reduction can be well balancedwhile making refractive power of the movable group large.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that each of the front lens groupand the rear lens group is composed of one positive lens and onenegative lens. Further, it is preferable that each of the front lensgroup and the rear lens group is composed of one cemented lens.Furthermore, it is preferable in symmetric point of view, that thesecond lens group includes, in order from the object side, a positivelens, a negative lens, an aperture stop, a negative lens and a positivelens, or that the second lens group includes, in order from the objectside, a negative lens, a positive lens, an aperture stop, a positivelens and a negative lens.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the following conditionalexpression (1-1) is satisfied:1.00<|f2vr|/fw<4.00  (1-1),where f2vr denotes a focal length of the movable group; and fw denotes afocal length of the zoom lens in the wide angle end state.

The conditional expression (1-1) defines the focal length of the movablegroup in the second lens group. The zoom lens in the first embodiment ofthe present application can correct excellently coma aberration andspherical aberration by satisfying the conditional expression (1-1).

When the value of |f2vr|/fw is equal to or falls below the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (1-1), susceptibility of decenteringof the movable group is increased, that is, various aberrations are aptto be generated in the case where decentering is generated in themovable group due to manufacturing error or the like, thereby comaaberration being deteriorated. Incidentally, in order to attain theeffect of the present application more surely, it is more preferable toset the lower limit value of the conditional expression (1-1) to 1.50.Moreover, in order to attain the effect of the present application moresurely, it is more preferable to set the lower limit value of theconditional expression (1-1) to 2.00.

On the other hand, when the value of |f2vr|/fw is equal to or exceedsthe upper limit value of the conditional expression (1-1), an amount ofthe movement of the movable group upon conducting vibration reduction isincreased, so that it becomes difficult to make the outer diameter orthe entire length of the zoom lens according to the first embodiment ofthe present application small. If refractive power of the lenses otherthan the movable group in the second lens group is made large in orderto secure refractive power of the second lens group, sphericalaberration as well as coma aberration is deteriorated. This is notpreferable. Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of the presentapplication more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit valueof the conditional expression (1-1) to 3.50. Further, in order to attainthe effect of the present application more surely, it is preferable toset the upper limit value of the conditional expression (1-1) to 3.20.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the following conditionalexpression (1-2) is satisfied:0.50<|f2vr|/f2<5.00  (1-2),where f2vr denotes a focal length of the movable group; and f2 denotes afocal length of the second lens group.

The conditional expression (1-2) defines the focal length of the movablegroup in the second lens group. The zoom lens in the first embodiment ofthe present application can correct excellently coma aberration andspherical aberration by satisfying the conditional expression (1-2).

When the value of |f2vr|/f2 is equal to or falls below the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (1-2), refractive power of themovable group becomes large and refractive power of other lenses thanthe movable group in the second lens group becomes small, so sphericalaberration and coma aberration are deteriorated. Incidentally, in orderto attain the effect of the present application more surely, it is morepreferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression(1-2) to 1.00. Moreover, in order to attain the effect of the presentapplication more surely, it is more preferable to set the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (1-2) to 1.50.

On the other hand, when the value of |f2vr|/f2 is equal to or exceedsthe upper limit value of the conditional expression (1-2), refractivepower of the movable group becomes small, and refractive power of lensesin the second lens group other than the movable group becomes large sothat coma aberration becomes deteriorated. This is not preferable.

Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of the present applicationmore surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of theconditional expression (1-2) to 4.00. Further, in order to attain theeffect of the present application more surely, it is preferable to setthe upper limit value of the conditional expression (1-2) to 3.00.Furthermore, in order to attain the effect of the present applicationmore surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of theconditional expression (1-2) to 2.50.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the following conditionalexpression (1-3) is satisfied:1.00<m12/fw<2.00  (1-3),where m12 denotes an amount of variation in a distance along the opticalaxis from the most image side lens surface in the first lens group tothe most object side lens surface in the second lens group upon varyingmagnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state;and fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in the wide angle endstate.

The conditional expression (1-3) defines an amount of variation of anair distance between the first lens group and the second lens group uponvarying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto endstate. The zoom lens in the first embodiment of the present applicationcan correct excellently spherical aberration, coma aberration, chromaticaberration and curvature of field, while preventing the entire length ofthe zoom lens from being increased, by satisfying the conditionalexpression (1-3).

When the value of m12/fw is equal to or falls below the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (1-3), refractive power of each lensgroup is increased, or an amount of movement of each lens group uponvarying magnification is increased. For this reason, decenteringsusceptibility is increased, and the entire length of the zoom lensaccording to the first embodiment of the present application becomeslarge. Moreover, optical performances are deteriorated. In more detail,spherical aberration, coma aberration and chromatic aberration aredeteriorated. In particular, refractive power of the third lens group isincreased, and thereby curvature of field is deteriorated.

Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of the present applicationmore surely, it is more preferable to set the lower limit value of theconditional expression (1-3) to 1.20. Moreover, in order to attain theeffect of the present application more surely, it is more preferable toset the lower limit value of the conditional expression (1-3) to 1.40.Moreover, in order to attain the effect of the present application moresurely, it is more preferable to set the lower limit value of theconditional expression (1-3) to 1.45.

On the other hand, when the value of m12/fw is equal to or exceeds theupper limit value of the conditional expression (1-3), the entire lengthof the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of the presentapplication is increased. For this reason, it becomes difficult to makethe entire length or the outer diameter of the zoom lens according tothe first embodiment of the present application small and compact. Inparticular, a distance between the lens group(s) (the third lens groupor the fourth lens group) disposed at the image side of the second lensgroup and the aperture stop in the telephoto end state is increased, sothat susceptibility of decentering curvature of field of the said lensgroup(s)(the third lens group or the fourth lens group) is undesirablyincreased. Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of the presentapplication more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit valueof the conditional expression (1-3) to 1.80. Further, in order to attainthe effect of the present application more surely, it is preferable toset the upper limit value of the conditional expression (1-3) to 1.65.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that, upon varying magnificationfrom the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, the first lensgroup, the second lens group and the third lens group are moved alongthe optical axis and the position of the lens group disposed at the mostimage side is fixed. With this configuration, the lens group disposed atthe most image side is fixed upon varying magnification, and it ispossible to reduce susceptibility of decentering coma aberration.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the front lens group includesat least two lenses and has at least one aspherical surface. It ispossible to correct excellently chromatic aberration by the at least twolenses, particularly by combining a positive lens and a negative lens.Further, by the front lens group including at least two lenses andhaving at least one aspherical surface, spherical aberration and comaaberration can be corrected excellently. Furthermore, the front lensgroup may be configured to include least number of lenses by the saidtwo lens configuration.

The optical apparatus of the present application is characterized inbeing equipped with the zoom lens according to the first embodimenthaving the above mentioned configuration, and thereby it is possible torealize the optical apparatus that can correct well chromatic aberrationat both times when vibration reduction is conducted and when novibration reduction is conducted and that has superb opticalperformances.

A method for manufacturing a zoom lens according to the first embodimentof the present application which comprises, in order from an objectside: a first lens group having negative refractive power; a second lensgroup having positive refractive power; a third lens group havingnegative refractive power and a fourth lens group having positiverefractive power, being characterized in comprising the steps of:

disposing the second lens group to include, in order from the objectside, a front lens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lens group;

disposing the front lens group and the rear lens group such that eachincludes at least one negative lens;

disposing such that, upon varying magnification, a distance between thefirst lens group and the second lens group, a distance between thesecond lens group and the third lens group and a distance between thethird lens group and the fourth lens group are varied; and

disposing at least a part of the lenses in the second lens group to bemoved as a movable group to have a component in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis. With this configuration, it ispossible to manufacture a zoom lens which can correct chromaticaberration excellently at both times when vibration reduction isconducted and when no vibration reduction is conducted, and which hasexcellent optical performances.

Next, a zoom lens, an optical apparatus and a method for manufacturingthe zoom lens, according to a second embodiment of the presentapplication will be explained.

A zoom lens according to the second embodiment of the presentapplication comprises, in order from an object side: a first lens grouphaving negative refractive power; a second lens group having positiverefractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive powerand a fourth lens group having positive refractive power;

upon varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephotoend state, a distance between the first lens group and the second lensgroup, a distance between the second lens group and the third lens groupand a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens groupbeing varied;

the second lens group including, in order from the object side, a frontlens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lens group;

each of the front lens group and the rear lens group including at leastone negative lens; and

at least a part of the lenses in the rear lens group being moved to havea component in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Here, the front lens group means a lens group consisting of lenselement(s) disposed at the object side of the aperture stop in thesecond lens group, and the rear lens group means a lens group consistingof lens element(s) disposed at the image side of the aperture stop inthe second lens group.

In the zoom lens according to the second embodiment of the presentapplication, as described above, at least a part of the lenses in thesecond lens group is moved as a movable group to have a component in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis, thereby it being possibleto conduct correction of image blur caused by camera shake as well asvibration, that is, vibration reduction being conducted.

In the zoom lens according to the second embodiment of the presentapplication, as described above, the second lens group includes, inorder from the object side, a front lens group, an aperture stop, and arear lens group, and each of the front lens group and rear lens groupincludes at least one negative lens. According to this configuration,corrections of longitudinal chromatic aberration and lateral chromaticaberration upon conducting no vibration reduction and corrections oflongitudinal chromatic aberration and lateral chromatic aberration uponconducting vibration reduction may be balanced well.

By the above mentioned configuration, it is possible to realize a zoomlens by which chromatic aberrations can be corrected excellently at bothtimes when vibration reduction is conducted and when vibration reductionis not conducted, and which has superb optical performances.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the second embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the front lens group haspositive refractive power. Due to this configuration, it is possible forthe second lens group to have positive refractive power.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the second embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the rear lens group haspositive refractive power. Due to this configuration, it is possible forthe second lens group to have positive refractive power.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the second embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the second lens groupcomprises, in order from the object side, a front lens group havingpositive refractive power, an aperture stop and a rear lens group havingpositive refractive power. Due to this configuration, symmetricarrangement can be made easily by distributing refractive power in thesecond lens group in front and rear of the aperture stop, therebycorrection of spherical aberration and correction of coma aberration maybe balanced well and excellent corrections can be made.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the second embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that at least one positive lensand at least one negative lens are included in the front lens group andin the rear lens group in the second lens group. Due to thisconfiguration, degree of freedom of correction of chromatic aberrationmay be secured in comparison with a single lens configuration, so it ispossible to set suitably refractive index and Abbe number of each lenscomposing the front lens group and the rear lens group. Further, sincethe rear lens group includes at least one positive lens and at least onenegative lens, corrections of longitudinal chromatic aberration andlateral chromatic aberration upon conducting no vibration reduction andcorrections of longitudinal chromatic aberration and lateral chromaticaberration upon conducting the vibration reduction can be well balancedwhile making refractive power of the movable group large.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the second embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that each of the front lens groupand the rear lens group is composed of one positive lens and onenegative lens. Further, it is preferable that each of the front lensgroup and the rear lens group is composed of one cemented lens.Furthermore, it is preferable in symmetric point of view, that thesecond lens group includes, in order from the object side, a positivelens, a negative lens, an aperture stop, a negative lens and a positivelens, or that the second lens group includes, in order from the objectside, a negative lens, a positive lens, an aperture stop, a positivelens and a negative lens.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the second embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the following conditionalexpression (2-1) is satisfied:1.00<|f2i|/fw<4.00  (2-1),where f2i denotes a focal length of the rear lens group; and fw denotesa focal length of the zoom lens in the wide angle end state.

The conditional expression (2-1) defines the focal length of the rearlens group in the second lens group. The zoom lens according to thesecond embodiment of the present application can correct excellentlycoma aberration and spherical aberration by satisfying the conditionalexpression (2-1).

When the value of |f2i|/fw is equal to or falls below the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (2-1), susceptibility of decenteringof the rear lens group is increased, in other words, various aberrationsare apt to be generated in the case where decentering is generated inthe rear lens group due to manufacturing error or the like, thereby comaaberration being deteriorated. Incidentally, in order to attain theeffect of the present application more surely, it is more preferable toset the lower limit value of the conditional expression (2-1) to 1.50.Moreover, in order to attain the effect of the present application moresurely, it is more preferable to set the lower limit value of theconditional expression (2-1) to 2.00.

On the other hand, when the value of |f2i|/fw is equal to or exceeds theupper limit value of the conditional expression (2-1), an amount of themovement of the vibration reduction lens group that is at least a partof lenses in the rear lens group, upon conducting the vibrationreduction is increased, so that it becomes difficult to make the outerdiameter or the entire length of the zoom lens according to the secondembodiment of the present application small. Further, refractive powerof the rear lens group becomes small. If refractive power of the frontlens group is made large in order to secure the refractive power of thesecond lens group, spherical aberration as well as coma aberration isdeteriorated. This is not preferable. Incidentally, in order to attainthe effect of the present application more surely, it is preferable toset the upper limit value of the conditional expression (2-1) to 3.50.Further, in order to attain the effect of the present application moresurely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditionalexpression (2-1) to 3.20.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the second embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the following conditionalexpression (2-2) is satisfied:0.50<|f2i|/f2<5.00  (2-2),where f2i denotes a focal length of the rear lens group; and f2 denotesthe focal length of the second lens group.

The conditional expression (2-2) defines the focal length of the rearlens group in the second lens group. The zoom lens in the secondembodiment of the present application can correct excellently comaaberration and spherical aberration by satisfying the conditionalexpression (2-2).

When the value of |f2i|/f2 is equal to or falls below the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (2-2), refractive power of the rearlens group becomes large and refractive power of the front lens groupbecome small, so spherical aberration and coma aberration areundesirably deteriorated. Incidentally, in order to attain the effect ofthe present application more surely, it is more preferable to set thelower limit value of the conditional expression (2-2) to 1.00. Moreover,in order to attain the effect of the present application more surely, itis more preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditionalexpression (2-2) to 1.50.

On the other hand, when the value of |f2i|/f2 is equal to or exceeds theupper limit value of the conditional expression (2-2), refractive powerof the rear lens group becomes small, and refractive power of the frontlens group becomes large, so that coma aberration becomes deteriorated.This is not preferable.

Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of the present applicationmore surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of theconditional expression (2-2) to 4.00. Further, in order to attain theeffect of the present application more surely, it is preferable to setthe upper limit value of the conditional expression (2-2) to 3.00.Furthermore, in order to attain the effect of the present applicationmore surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of theconditional expression (2-2) to 2.50.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the second embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the following conditionalexpression (2-3) is satisfied:1.00<m12/fw<2.00  (2-3),where m12 denotes an amount of variation in a distance along the opticalaxis from the most image side lens surface in the first lens group tothe most object side lens surface in the second lens group from the wideangle end state to the telephoto end state; and fw denotes the focallength of the zoom lens in the wide angle end state.

The conditional expression (2-3) defines an amount of variation of anair distance between the first lens group and the second lens group uponvarying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto endstate.

The zoom lens in the second embodiment of the present application cancorrect excellently spherical aberration, coma aberration, chromaticaberration and curvature of field, while preventing the entire length ofthe zoom lens from being increased, by satisfying the conditionalexpression (2-3).

When the value of m12/fw is equal to or falls below the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (2-3), refractive power of each lensgroup is increased, or amount of movement upon varying magnification isincreased, or amount of movement of each lens group upon varyingmagnification is increased. For this reason, decentering susceptibilityis increased, and the entire length of the zoom lens according to thesecond embodiment of the present application becomes large. Moreover,optical performances are deteriorated. In more detail, sphericalaberration, coma aberration and chromatic aberration are deterioratedundesirably. In particular, refractive power of the third lens group isincreased, and thereby curvature of field is deteriorated undesirably.Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of the present applicationmore surely, it is more preferable to set the lower limit value of theconditional expression (2-3) to 1.20. Moreover, in order to attain theeffect of the present application more surely, it is more preferable toset the lower limit value of the conditional expression (2-3) to 1.40.Moreover, in order to attain the effect of the present application moresurely, it is more preferable to set the lower limit value of theconditional expression (2-3) to 1.45.

On the other hand, when the value of m12/fw is equal to or exceeds theupper limit value of the conditional expression (2-3), the entire lengthof the zoom lens according to the first embodiment of the presentapplication is undesirably increased. For this reason, it becomesdifficult to make the entire length or the outer diameter of the zoomlens according to the second embodiment of the present application smalland compact. In particular, a distance between the lens group(s) (thethird lens group or the fourth lens group) disposed at the image side ofthe second lens group and the aperture stop in the telephoto end stateis increased, so that susceptibility of decentering curvature of fieldof the said lens group(s) (the third lens group or the fourth lensgroup) is undesirably increased. Incidentally, in order to attain theeffect of the present application more surely, it is preferable to setthe upper limit value of the conditional expression (2-3) to 1.80.Further, in order to attain the effect of the present application moresurely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditionalexpression (2-3) to 1.65.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the second embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that, upon varying magnificationfrom the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, the first lensgroup, the second lens group and the third lens group are moved alongthe optical axis and the position of the fourth lens group is fixed.With this configuration, the fourth lens group is fixed upon varyingmagnification, and it is possible to reduce susceptibility ofdecentering coma aberration.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the second embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the front lens group includesat least two lenses and has at least one aspherical surface. It ispossible to correct excellently chromatic aberration by the at least twolenses, particularly by combining a positive lens and a negative lens.Further, by the front lens group including at least two lenses andhaving at least one aspherical surface, spherical aberration and comaaberration can be corrected excellently. Furthermore, the front lensgroup may be configured to include least number of lenses by the saidtwo lens configuration.

The optical apparatus of the present application is characterized inbeing equipped with the zoom lens according to the second embodimenthaving the above mentioned configuration, and thereby it is possible torealize the optical apparatus that can correct well chromatic aberrationat both times when vibration reduction is conducted and when novibration reduction is conducted, and that has superb opticalperformances.

A method for manufacturing the zoom lens according to the secondembodiment of the present application which comprises, in order from anobject side: a first lens group having negative refractive power; asecond lens group having positive refractive power; a third lens grouphaving negative refractive power and a fourth lens group having positiverefractive power, being characterized in comprising the steps of:

disposing the second lens group to include, in order from an objectside, a front lens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lens group;

disposing the front lens group and the rear lens group such that eachincludes at least one negative lens;

disposing such that, upon varying magnification from the wide anglestate to the telephoto end state, a distance between the first lensgroup and the second lens group, a distance between the second lensgroup and the third lens group and a distance between the third lensgroup and the fourth lens group are varied; and

disposing at least a part of the lenses in the rear lens group to bemoved to have a component in a direction perpendicular to the opticalaxis. With this configuration, it is possible to manufacture a zoom lenswhich can correct chromatic aberration excellently at both times whenvibration reduction is conducted and when no vibration reduction isconducted, and which has excellent optical performances.

Next, a zoom lens, an optical apparatus and a method for manufacturingthe zoom lens, according to a third embodiment of the presentapplication will be explained.

A zoom lens according to the third embodiment of the present applicationcomprising, in order from an object side: a first lens group havingnegative refractive power; a second lens group having positiverefractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive powerand a fourth lens group having positive refractive power;

upon varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephotoend state, the third lens group being moved along the optical axis, adistance between the first lens group and the second lens group, adistance between the second lens group and the third lens group and adistance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group beingvaried; and

the following conditional expression being satisfied:0.50<m3/fw<0.80  (3-1)where m3 denotes an amount of movement of the third lens group uponvarying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto endstate, and fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in the wide angleend state.

The conditional expression (3-1) defines the amount of movement of thethird lens group in the third lens group upon varying magnification froma wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state. The zoom lens in thethird embodiment of the present application can be downsized and cancorrect excellently spherical aberration, chromatic aberration, comaaberration and field of curvature, by satisfying the conditionalexpression (3-1).

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the third embodiment of thepresent application, the amount of movement upon varying magnification,which was born by the first lens group and the second lens group in theconventional zoom lens, can be born not only by the first lens group andthe second lens group and also by the third lens group disposed at theimage side of the second lens group, thereby constitutional elements(such as cam cylinder and the like) used for moving optical elements ina lens barrel being able to be reduced in length so that the entirelength of the zoom lens can be reduced.

When the value of m3/fw is equal to or falls below the lower limit valueof the conditional expression (3-1), burden of varying magnificationborn by lens groups other than the third lens group is increased.Therefore, movement amounts of the lens groups other than the third lensgroup are increased undesirably, and refractive power of each lens groupis undesirably increased. As a result, the entire length of the zoomlens according to the third embodiment is undesirably increased.Moreover, optical performances, specifically, spherical aberration,chromatic aberration and coma aberration are deteriorated, and furthervariation in chromatic aberration upon focusing is caused. Furthermore,

decentering susceptibility is increased, in other words, variousaberrations are apt to be generated in the case where decentering isgenerated in the lens groups composing the zoom lens according to thethird embodiment of the present application due to manufacturing erroror the like. Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of the presentapplication more surely, it is more preferable to set the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (3-1) to 0.51.

On the other hand, when the value of m3/fw is equal to or exceeds theupper limit value of the conditional expression (3-1), the entire lengthof the zoom lens according to the third embodiment of the presentapplication is increased undesirably. Further, optical performance,particularly, curvature of field is undesirably deteriorated.Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of the present applicationmore surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of theconditional expression (3-1) to 0.70. Further, in order to attain theeffect of the present application more surely, it is preferable to setthe upper limit value of the conditional expression (3-1) to 0.68.

Because of the above mentioned configuration, a zoom lens whose entirelength is small and which is downsized and has superb performances, canbe realized.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the third embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the fourth lens groupcomprises a meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the image side.By this configuration, it is possible to correct curvature of field andsecure flatness of the image plane. The fourth lens group may beconfigured to comprise a further lens component at the object side orthe image side of the meniscus lens. Further, the meniscus lens may becemented with other lens to form a cemented lens.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the third embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the following conditionalexpression (3-2) is satisfied:−5.00<(r42+r41)/(r42−r41)<−1.30  (3-2),where r41 denotes curvature radius of an object side lens surface of themeniscus lens in the fourth lens group; and r42 denotes curvature radiusof an image side lens surface of the meniscus lens in the fourth lensgroup.

The conditional expression (3-2) defines a shape factor of the meniscuslens in the fourth lens group. The zoom lens in the third embodiment ofthe present application can correct more excellently curvature of fieldand secure the flatness of the image plane by satisfying the conditionalexpression (3-2).

When the value of (r42+r41)/(r42−r41) is equal to or falls below thelower limit value of the conditional expression (3-2), curvature radiusof the object side lens surface and curvature radius of the image sidelens surface of the meniscus lens in the fourth lens group become toosmall, thereby spherical aberration and coma aberration becomingdeteriorated. Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of the presentapplication more surely, it is more preferable to set the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (3-2) to −4.00. Moreover, in orderto attain the effect of the present application more surely, it is morepreferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression(3-2) to −3.80.

On the other hand, when the value of (r42+r41)/(r42-r41) is equal to orexceeds the upper limit value of the conditional expression (3-2), itbecomes impossible to correct sufficiently curvature of field.Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of the present applicationmore surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of theconditional expression (3-2) to −1.50. Further, in order to attain theeffect of the present application more surely, it is preferable to setthe upper limit value of the conditional expression (3-2) to −1.80.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the third embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that, upon varying magnificationfrom the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, a distancebetween the first lens group and the second lens group is decreased, adistance between the second lens group and the third lens group isvaried, and a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lensgroup is increased. With such a configuration, it is possible reduce theentire length of the zoom lens.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the third embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that, upon varying magnificationfrom the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, the third lensgroup is moved along the optical axis toward the object, and in the casewhere the third lens group is moved toward the image side upon focusing,the following conditional expression (3-3) is satisfied:0.45<fst/m3<1.00  (3-3),where fst denotes an amount of movement of the third lens group uponfocusing from an infinitely distant object onto a short distant objectin the telephoto end state, and m3 denotes an amount of movement of thethird lens group upon varying magnification from the wide angle endstate to the telephoto end state.

In the zoom lens according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention, upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state tothe telephoto end state as described above, the third lens group ismoved along the optical axis toward the object side, and upon focusingfrom an infinite distance object to the close distance object, the thirdlens group is moved toward the image side along the optical axis. Withsuch a configuration, it becomes possible for the third lens group tomove toward the image side in the telephoto end state by the stroke(inclusive of varying amount of a distance between the third lens groupand the fourth lens group) in which stroke the third lens group movestoward the object side upon varying magnification from the wide angleend state to the telephoto end state.

The conditional expression (3-3) defines a relation between the amountof movement of the third lens group upon focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object in the telephoto end stateand the amount of movement of the third lens group upon varyingmagnification. The conditional expression (3-3) indicates that adistance generated by the movement of the third lens group toward theobject side upon varying magnification, is utilized for the third lensgroup to be moved toward the image side upon focusing. The zoom lensaccording to the third embodiment of the present application caneffectively dispose the stroke upon varying magnification and the strokeupon focusing, so the entire length of the zoom lens can be reduced.

When the value of fst/m3 is equal to or falls below the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (3-3), the amount of movement of thethird lens group upon varying magnification becomes large and the entirelength is undesirably increased, and optical performance, in particular,curvature of field is deteriorated. Incidentally, in order to attain theeffect of the present application more surely, it is more preferable toset the lower limit value of the conditional expression (3-3) to 0.47.Moreover, in order to attain the effect of the present application moresurely, it is more preferable to set the lower limit value of theconditional expression (3-3) to 0.50.

On the other hand, when the value of fst/m3 is equal to or exceeds theupper limit value of the conditional expression (3-3), the amount of themovement of the third lens group becomes small, so burden of the otherlens groups than the third lens group for varying magnification becomeslarge. Accordingly, the amount of movement of the other lens groups thanthe third lens group is undesirably increased, and refractive power ofeach lens group is undesirably increased. If the amount of movements ofthe other lens groups than the third lens group is increased, the entirelength of the zoom lens according to the third embodiment of the presentapplication is undesirably increased. Further, if refractive power ofeach lens group is increased, deteriorations of optical performances, inparticular, deteriorations of spherical aberration, chromatic aberrationand coma aberration are caused, and further variation in chromaticaberration upon focusing is caused, and decentering susceptibility isundesirably increased. Incidentally, in order to attain the effect ofthe present application more surely, it is preferable to set the upperlimit value of the conditional expression (3-3) to 0.90. Further, inorder to attain the effect of the present application more surely, it ispreferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression(3-3) to 0.80.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the third embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the following conditionalexpression (3-4) is satisfied:1.50<(−f3)/fw<4.00  (3-4),where f3 denotes a focal length of the third lens group; and fw denotesthe focal length of the zoom lens in the wide angle end state.

The conditional expression (3-4) defines refractive power of the thirdlens group. The zoom lens in the third embodiment of the presentapplication can correct excellently spherical aberration, chromaticaberration, coma aberration and curvature of field, while downsizing thezoom lens according to the third embodiment of the present application,by satisfying the conditional expression (3-4).

When the value of (−f3)/fw is equal to or falls below the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (3-4), refractive power of the thirdlens group becomes too large and coma aberration is deterioratedundesirably. Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of the presentapplication more surely, it is more preferable to set the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (3-4) to 2.00.

On the other hand, when the value of (−f3)/fw is equal to or exceeds theupper limit value of the conditional expression (3-4), refractive powerof the third lens group becomes too small, and burden of varyingmagnification born by lens groups other than the third lens group uponvarying magnification is increased. For this reason, amount of movementof the second lens group is increased, and refractive power of each lensgroup is increased. As a result, the entire length of the zoom lensaccording to the third embodiment of the present application becomesincreased. Further, optical performances are deteriorated, and inparticular, spherical aberration, chromatic aberration and comaaberration are deteriorated. Furthermore, variation in chromaticaberration upon focusing is invited. Furthermore, decenteringsusceptibility is undesirably increased. Incidentally, in order toattain the effect of the present application more surely, it ispreferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression(3-4) to 3.00. Further, in order to attain the effect of the presentapplication more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit valueof the conditional expression (3-4) to 2.80.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the third embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the fourth lens groupconsists of a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface facing theimage side. With this configuration, curvature of field is corrected,flatness of the image plane is secured, and the structure of the fourthlens group is simplified.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the third embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that, upon varying magnificationfrom the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, the first lensgroup and the second lens group are moved along the optical axis, andthe position of the fourth lens group is fixed. With this configuration,it becomes possible to suppress generation of aberrations due todecentering error of the fourth lens group whose decenteringsusceptibility is high.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the third embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the fourth lens group has atleast one aspherical surface. With this configuration, it is possible tosecure more excellently flatness of the image plane.

The optical apparatus of the present application is characterized inbeing equipped with the zoom lens according to the third embodiment ofthe present application, thereby the optical apparatus that is downsizedand has excellent optical performances being realized.

A method for manufacturing the zoom lens according to the thirdembodiment of the present application which comprises, in order from anobject side: a first lens group having negative refractive power; asecond lens group having positive refractive power; a third lens grouphaving negative refractive power and a fourth lens group having positiverefractive power, being characterized in comprising the steps of:

disposing such that, upon varying magnification from the wide anglestate to the telephoto end state, the third lens group is moved alongthe optical axis, and a distance between the first lens group and thesecond lens group, a distance between the second lens group and thethird lens group and a distance between the third lens group and thefourth lens group are varied; and

disposing the third lens group to satisfy the following conditionalexpression (3-1):0.50<m3/fw<0.80  (3-1),where m3 denotes an amount of movement of the third lens group uponvarying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto endstate; and fw denotes the focal length of the zoom lens in the wideangle end state.

Next, a zoom lens, an optical apparatus and a method for manufacturingthe zoom lens, according to a fourth embodiment of the presentapplication will be explained.

A zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment of the presentapplication comprising, in order from an object side: a first lens grouphaving negative refractive power; a second lens group having positiverefractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive powerand a fourth lens group having positive refractive power;

the second lens group including, in order from an object side, a firstsegment group having positive refractive power, a second segment grouphaving negative refractive power, an aperture stop and a third segmentgroup;

upon varying magnification, the first lens group, the second lens groupand the third lens group being moved along the optical axis, and theposition of the fourth lens group being fixed;

upon focusing, at least a part of the third lens group being moved alongthe optical axis;

the first segment group or the second segment group in the second lensgroup being moved as a movable group to have a component in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis; and

the following conditional expression (4-1) being satisfied:0.15<|fw/fvr|<0.50  (4-1)where fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in the wide angle endstate, and fvr denotes a focal length of said movable group.

The zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment of the presentapplication comprises, in order from an object side, a first lens grouphaving negative refractive power, a second lens group having positiverefractive power, a third lens group having negative refractive powerand a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, and the secondlens group including, in order from the object side, a first segmentgroup having positive refractive power, a second segment group havingnegative refractive power, an aperture stop and a third segment group.With this configuration, the zoom lens according to the fourthembodiment of the present application can attain superb opticalperformances, while having high variable magnification ratio and longfocal length.

In the zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment of the presentapplication, the first segment group or the second segment group in thesecond lens group is moved as the movable group to have a component in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis, thereby correction of imageblur caused by camera shake or the like, in other words, vibrationreduction, being able to be conducted.

The conditional expression (4-1) defines refractive power of the movablegroup. The zoom lens in the fourth embodiment of the presentapplication, while being downsized, can suppress excellently opticalperformances by satisfying the conditional expression (4-1).

When the value of |fw/fvr| is equal to or falls below the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (4-1), Movement amount of themovable group upon conducting vibration reduction becomes too large.Accordingly, the zoom lens in the fourth embodiment of the presentapplication becomes too large in size, so it is not preferable.Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of the present applicationmore surely, it is more preferable to set the lower limit value of theconditional expression (4-1) to 0.20.

On the other hand, when the value of |fw/fvr| is equal to or exceeds theupper limit value of the conditional expression (4-1), refractive powerof the movable group becomes too large, thereby upon conductingvibration reduction decentering coma aberration, lateral chromaticaberration and curvature of field being deteriorated. Incidentally, inorder to attain the effect of the present application more surely, it ispreferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression(4-1) to 0.40.

By the above configuration, a zoom lens that is downsized and has superboptical performances can be realized.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the third segment group haspositive refractive power. With this configuration, refractive power ofthe positive second lens group is mainly born by the third segmentgroup, so that excellent aberration corrections can be realized.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the following conditionalexpression (4-2) is satisfied:0.50<fw/f2<0.90  (4-2),where fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in the wide angle endstate; and f2 denotes a focal length of the second lens group.

The conditional expression (4-2) defines refractive power of the secondlens group. The zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent application can correct excellently aberrations and bedownsized, by satisfying the conditional expression (4-2).

When the value of fw/f2 is equal to or falls below the lower limit valueof the conditional expression (4-2) of the zoom lens according to thefourth embodiment of the present application, refractive power of thesecond lens group becomes too small and amount of movement for carryingout desired zooming becomes too large, thereby the zoom lens becominglarge in size undesirably. Incidentally, in order to attain the effectof the present application more surely, it is more preferable to set thelower limit value of the conditional expression (4-2) to 0.60.

On the other hand, when the value of fw/f2 is equal to or exceeds theupper limit value of the conditional expression (4-2), refractive powerof the second lens group becomes too large, and this is advantageous fordownsizing but undesirably increases generation of spherical aberrationand susceptibility due to decentering. Incidentally, in order to attainthe effect of the present application more surely, it is preferable toset the upper limit value of the conditional expression (4-2) to 0.80.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that the following conditionalexpression (4-3) is satisfied:0.20<|f2/fvr|<0.60  (4-3),where f2 denotes a focal length of the second lens group; and fvrdenotes a focal length of the variable group.

The conditional expression (4-3) defines a ratio between refractivepower of the second lens group and refractive power of the variablegroup. The zoom lens in the fourth embodiment of the present applicationcan suppress superbly deterioration of optical performances uponconducting vibration reduction while being downsized, by satisfying theconditional expression (4-3).

When the value of |f2/fvr| is equal to or falls below the lower limitvalue of the conditional expression (4-3), amount of movement of themovable group upon carrying out vibration reduction becomes too large.This is undesirable since the zoom lens according to the fourthembodiment of the present application becomes too large in size.Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of the present applicationmore surely, it is more preferable to set the lower limit value of theconditional expression (4-3) to 0.30.

On the other hand, when the value of |f2/fvr| is equal to or exceeds theupper limit value of the conditional expression (4-3), refractive powerof the movable group becomes too large, and decentering coma aberration,lateral chromatic aberration and curvature of field are deteriorated.This is undesirable. Incidentally, in order to attain the effect of thepresent application more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limitvalue of the conditional expression (4-3) to 0.50.

Moreover, in the zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent application, it is preferable that each of the first lens group,the second lens group, the third lens group and the fourth lens group,has at least one aspherical surface. With this configuration, sphericalaberration and curvature of field are superbly corrected.

The optical apparatus of the present application is characterized inbeing equipped with the zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment ofthe present application, thereby the optical apparatus that is downsizedand has excellent optical performances upon carrying out vibrationreduction, being realized.

A method for manufacturing the zoom lens according to the fourthembodiment of the present application which comprises, in order from anobject side: a first lens group having negative refractive power; asecond lens group having positive refractive power; a third lens grouphaving negative refractive power and a fourth lens group having positiverefractive power, being characterized in comprising the steps of:

disposing the second lens group to include, in order from an objectside, a first segment group having positive refractive power, a secondsegment group having negative refractive power, an aperture stop and athird segment group;

disposing such that, upon varying magnification, the position of thefourth lens group is fixed, and the first lens group, the second lensgroup and the third lens group are moved along the optical axis;

upon focusing, at least a part of the third lens group being moved alongthe optical axis; the first segment group or the second segment group inthe second lens group being moved as a movable group to have a componentin a direction perpendicular to the optical axis; and the followingconditional expression (4-1) being satisfied:0.15<|fw/fvr|<0.50  (4-1)where fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in the wide angle endstate, and fvr denotes a focal length of said movable group.

Hereinafter, a zoom lens according to each numerical example of thefirst and second embodiments of the present application will beexplained with reference to the accompanying drawings. The first toseventh examples are common to the first and second embodiments, and theeighth and ninth examples are examples of the first embodiment.

First Example

FIGS. 1A and 1B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lens ina wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to afirst Example that is common to the first and second embodiments of thepresent application. Incidentally, in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4, 7, 10, 13, 16,19, 22, 25, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, and 40 described hereinafter, arrowsshow a moving trajectories of each lens group upon varying magnificationfrom a wide angle end state to a telephoto end state.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of a firstlens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2having positive refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negativerefractive power and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractivepower.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing an objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L12 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side and image side lens surfaces areaspherically shaped

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, afront lens group G2F having positive refractive power, an aperture stopS, and a rear lens group G2R having positive refractive power.

The front lens group G2F consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a positive lens L21 having a double convexshape cemented with a negative meniscus lens L22 having a concavesurface facing the object side. The positive lens L21 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is asphericallyshaped.

The rear lens group G2R consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a negative lens L23 having a convex surfacefacing the object side cemented with a double convex positive lens L24.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L31is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a positive meniscus lens L41 havinga convex surface facing the image side. The positive meniscus lens L41is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis and thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased. Incidentally, the position of thefourth lens group G4 is fixed upon varying magnification. The front lensgroup G2F, the aperture stop S and the rear lens group G2R of the secondlens group G2 are moved in a body upon varying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

In the zoom lens of the present example having constructed as above,vibration reduction is carried out by moving the rear lens group G2R ofthe second lens group G2 as a movable group to have a component in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis.

Table 1 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

In Table 1, f denotes a focal length, and BF denotes a back focallength, that is, denotes a distance between the most image side lenssurface and the image plane I on the optical axis.

In [Surface Data], m denotes an order of an optical surface counted fromthe object side, r denotes a radius of curvature, d denotes asurface-to-surface distance (an interval from an n-th surface to an(n+1)-th surface, where n is an integer.), nd denotes a refractive indexto d-line (wavelength=587.6 nm), and νd denotes an Abbe number to d-line(wavelength=587.6). OP denotes an object plane, Variable denotes avariable surface-to-surface distance, S denotes an aperture stop S, andI denotes the image plane. The radius of curvature r=∞ indicates a planesurface. “*” mark is attached to a surface number of each asphericalsurface, and a value of each paraxial radius of curvature is listed inthe column of the radius of curvature r. The refractive index of airnd=1.000 is omitted.

[Aspherical Data] shows aspherical surface coefficients and conicconstants in the case when the shape of each aspherical surface shown in[Surface Data] is expressed by the following expression:x=(h ² /r)/[1+{1−κ(h/r)²}^(1/2)]+A4h ⁴ +A6h ⁶ +A8h ⁸ +A10h ¹⁰

Here, h is made to be a height vertical to the optical axis, x is madeto be a sag amount that is the distance between a tangent plane of thevertex of each aspherical surface in the height h to each asphericalsurface along the optical axis, κ is made to be a conic constant, A4,A6, A8, A10 are made to be aspherical surface coefficients, and r ismade to be a paraxial radius of curvature that is a radius of curvatureof reference sphere. “E-n” (n is an integer) represents “×10^(−n)”. Forexample, “1.234E-05” represents “1.234×10⁻⁵”. The aspherical surfacecoefficient A2 of second order is 0 and is omitted.

In [Various Data], FNO denotes an F number, 2ω denotes an angle of view(unit is “°”), Y denotes an image height, TL denotes an entire length ofthe zoom lens, that is, the distance between a first surface and theimage plane I along the optical axis, and do denotes a variable distancebetween an n-th surface and an (n+1)-th surface. W denotes thewide-angle end state, M denotes the intermediate focal length state andT denotes the telephoto end state.

[Lens Group Data] shows a starting surface ST of each lens group and afocal length f.

In [Vibration Reduction Data], Z denotes shifting amount of the movablegroup, that is, amount of movement of the movable group in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis, and θ denotes angle “°” of rotationalcamera shake of the zoom lens according to the present example, and Kdenotes a vibration reduction coefficient.

[Values for Conditional Expressions] show corresponding values forconditional expressions of the zoom lens according to the example.

“mm” is used as the unit for various lengths such as the focal length f,the radius of curvature r and the like. However, even when the opticalsystem is proportionally enlarged or proportionally reduced, the sameoptical performance can be obtained, the unit is not necessarily limitedto “mm”.

Note that the same symbols as those in the Table 1 are applied to theTables in the respective Examples that will be given below.

TABLE 1 First Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 72.401 0.8001.603 65.440  2 8.933 3.247  *3 81.430 1.000 1.623 58.163  *4 14.3810.217  5 11.610 2.300 2.001 25.455  6 16.466 Variable  *7 17.188 2.6881.623 58.163  8 −8.884 0.800 1.603 38.028  9 −46.602 1.500  10(S) ∞2.989  11 18.062 0.800 1.583 46.422  12 6.945 3.024 1.498 82.570  13−30.319 Variable *14 95.105 0.800 1.623 58.163 *15 11.725 Variable *16−30.246 2.900 1.583 59.460 *17 −11.506 BF I ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data]m κ A4 A6 A8 A10 3 1.000E+00 −1.341E−04 4.946E−06 −2.851E−08 0.000E+00 41.000E+00 −1.733E−04 4.608E−06 −2.877E−09 −4.422E−10 7 1.000E+00−6.445E−05 −1.030E−06 3.176E−08 1.259E−11 14 1.000E+00 5.106E−04−1.420E−05 −1.448E−07 1.178E−08 15 1.000E+00 7.701E−04 −1.866E−051.925E−07 0.000E+00 16 1.000E+00 1.161E−04 1.252E−06 −3.371E−081.439E−10 17 1.000E+00 1.152E−04 1.558E−06 −2.620E−08 8.016E−11 [VariousData] Variable magnification ratio 2.83 W T f 10.3 29.1 FNO  3.56 5.662ω 77.0° 31.4° Y  8.19 8.19 W M T (Upon Focusing on an infinitelydistant Object) f 10.300 18.383 29.100 d6 17.948 7.230 2.253 d13 1.6006.325 11.865 d15 5.138 7.347 10.568 BF 13.299 13.299 13.299 TL 47.75043.966 47.750 (Upon Focusing on a close distance Object) D 200.000200.000 200.000 d6 17.948 7.230 2.253 d13 2.070 7.693 15.083 d15 4.6685.979 7.349 BF 13.299 13.299 13.299 TL 47.750 43.966 47.750 [Lens GroupData] ST f G1  1 −14.141 G2  7 13.652 G3 14 −21.559 G4 16 30.130[Vibration Reduction Data] W M T f 10.300 18.383 29.100 Z 0.142 0.1480.171 θ 0.624 0.500 0.500 K 0.789 1.087 1.485 [Values for ConditionalExpressions] (1-1) |f2vr|/fw = 2.718 (1-2) |f2vr|/f2 = 2.051 (1-3)m12/fw = 1.524 (2-1) |f2i|/fw = 2.718 (2-2) |f2i|/f2 = 2.051 (2-3)m12/fw = 1.524

FIGS. 2A and 2B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing onan infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the first example ofthe present application.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are respectively graphs showing coma aberrations at thetime when vibration reduction is carried out against rotational camerashake of 0.624° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in thewide-angle end state of the zoom lens and against rotational camerashake of 0.500° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the first example ofthe present application.

In the individual aberration diagrams, FNO represents the F-number, andY denotes an image height. Further, the symbol d represents anaberration curve in the d-line (λ=587.6 nm), g stands for an aberrationcurve in the g-line (λ=435.8 nm), and what is not marked with d or grepresents an aberration curve in the d-line. In a diagram showing anastigmatism, a solid line indicates a saggital image plane, and a brokenline indicates a meridional image plane. An aberration diagram of a comashows coma aberration at each image height Y. Note that the same symbolsas those in the first Example are applied to the various aberrationdiagrams in the respective Examples that will be given below.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zooming lens system according to the present Example correctswell the various aberrations from the wide-angle end state to thetelephoto end state throughout, and further exhibits the high opticalperformances even upon conducting vibration reduction.

Second Example

FIGS. 4A and 4B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom opticalsystem in a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, accordingto a second Example that is common to the first and second embodimentsof the present application.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of a firstlens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2having positive refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negativerefractive power and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractivepower.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing an objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L12 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side and image side lens surfaces areaspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 is composed of, in order from the object side,a front lens group G2F having positive refractive power, an aperturestop S, and a rear lens group G2R having positive refractive power.

The front lens group G2F consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a positive lens L21 having a double convexshape cemented with a negative meniscus lens L22 having a concavesurface facing the object side. The positive lens L21 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is asphericallyshaped.

The rear lens group G2R consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a positive lens L23 having a double convexshape cemented with a negative meniscus lens L24 having a concavesurface facing the object side.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L31is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a positive meniscus lens L41 havinga convex surface facing the image side. The positive meniscus lens L41is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

In the zoom lens of the present example having constructed as above,upon varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephotoend state, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis andthe second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased. Incidentally, the position of thefourth lens group G4 is fixed upon varying magnification. The front lensgroup G2F, the aperture stop S and the rear lens group G2R of the secondlens group G2 are moved in a body upon varying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

In the zoom lens of the present example having constructed as above,vibration reduction is carried out by moving the rear lens group G2R inthe second lens group G2 as a movable group to have a component in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis.

Table 2 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 2 Second Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 78.484 0.8001.603 65.440  2 9.640 3.089  *3 240.283 1.000 1.623 58.163  *4 14.9400.286  5 11.133 2.300 2.001 25.455  6 15.568 Variable  *7 17.287 2.4751.619 63.854  8 −11.064 0.800 1.648 33.723  9 −29.967 1.500  10(S) ∞3.054  11 41.552 2.920 1.498 82.570  12 −7.477 0.800 1.583 46.422  13−18.335 Variable *14 63.143 0.800 1.623 58.163 *15 11.500 Variable *16−29.401 2.900 1.583 59.460 *17 −11.497 BF I ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data]m κ A4 A6 A8 A10 3 1.000E+00 4.841E−06 3.023E−06 −1.926E−08 0.000E+00 41.000E+00 −3.973E−06 3.373E−06 −2.350E−09 −2.653E−10 7 1.000E+00−7.145E−05 −2.026E−07 1.193E−08 1.831E−10 14 1.000E+00 5.024E−04−1.733E−05 4.606E−07 −1.011E−08 15 1.000E+00 7.291E−04 −1.452E−051.487E−07 0.000E+00 16 1.000E+00 1.438E−04 1.228E−06 −4.055E−081.768E−10 17 1.000E+00 1.467E−04 1.368E−06 −2.735E−08 5.125E−11 [VariousData] Variable magnification ratio 2.83 W T f 10.3 29.1 FNO  3.56 5.662ω 77.0° 31.4° Y  8.19 8.19 W M T (Upon Focusing on an infinitelydistant Object) f 10.300 18.720 29.100 d6 18.251 7.166 2.405 d13 1.6006.619 12.046 d15 5.176 7.408 10.576 BF 13.299 13.299 13.299 TL 47.75043.916 47.750 (Upon Focusing on a close distance Object) D 200.000200.000 200.000 d6 18.251 7.166 2.405 d13 2.100 8.132 15.490 d15 4.6765.895 7.133 BF 13.299 13.299 13.299 TL 47.750 43.916 47.750 [Lens GroupData] ST f G1  1 −14.400 G2  7 13.831 G3 14 −22.718 G4 16 30.553[Vibration Reduction Data] W M T f 10.300 18.720 29.100 Z 0.168 0.1740.198 θ 0.624 0.500 0.500 K 0.668 0.941 1.281 [Values for ConditionalExpressions] (1-1) |f2vr|/fw = 3.042 (1-2) |f2vr|/f2 = 2.265 (1-3)m12/fw = 1.538 (2-1) |f2i|/fw = 3.042 (2-2) |f2i|/f2 = 2.265 (2-3)m12/fw = 1.538

FIGS. 5A and 5B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing onan infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the second example ofthe present application.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are respectively graphs showing coma aberrations at thetime when vibration reduction is carried out against rotational camerashake of 0.624° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in thewide-angle end state of the zoom lens and against rotational camerashake of 0.500° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the second example ofthe present application.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zooming lens system according to the present example correctswell the various aberrations from the wide-angle end state to thetelephoto end state throughout, and further exhibits the high opticalperformances even upon conducting vibration reduction.

Third Example

FIGS. 7A and 7B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom opticalsystem in a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, accordingto a third example that is common to the first and second embodiments ofthe present application.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of a firstlens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2having positive refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negativerefractive power and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractivepower.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from an object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L12 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side and image side lens surfaces areaspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 is composed of, in order from the object side,a front lens group G2F having positive refractive power, an aperturestop S, and a rear lens group G2R having positive refractive power.

The front lens group G2F consists of, in order from the object side, apositive lens L21 having a double convex shape and a negative meniscuslens L22 having a concave surface facing the object side. The positivelens L21 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lenssurface is aspherically shaped.

The rear lens group G2R consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L23 having aconvex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive lens L24having a double convex shape.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L31is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a positive meniscus lens L41 havinga convex surface facing the image side. The positive meniscus lens L41is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis and thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased. Incidentally, the position of thefourth lens group G4 is fixed upon varying magnification. The front lensgroup G2F, the aperture stop S and the rear lens group G2R of the secondlens group G2 are moved in a body upon varying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above,vibration reduction is carried out by moving the rear lens group G2R inthe second lens group G2 as a movable group to have a component in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis.

Table 3 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 3 Third Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 81.550 0.8001.603 65.440  2 9.681 3.069  *3 328.483 1.000 1.623 58.163  *4 14.8950.345  5 11.373 2.200 2.001 25.455  6 16.225 Variable  *7 17.158 2.4931.619 63.854  8 −13.864 0.157  9 −13.612 0.800 1.648 33.723  10 −40.1841.500  11(S) ∞ 2.911  12 17.888 0.800 1.583 46.422  13 6.850 3.050 1.49882.570  14 −29.219 Variable *15 62.039 0.800 1.623 58.163 *16 11.500Variable *17 −26.508 2.900 1.583 59.460 *18 −11.123 BF I ∞ [AsphericalSurface Data] m κ A4 A6 A8 A10 3 1.000E+00 −1.154E−06 3.285E−06−2.143E−08 0.000E+00 4 1.000E+00 −3.977E−06 3.056E−06 9.547E−09−4.065E−10 7 1.000E+00 −5.971E−05 −1.038E−06 6.985E−08 −1.544E−09 151.000E+00 5.899E−04 −2.242E−05 3.797E−07 −1.428E−09 16 1.000E+008.486E−04 −2.240E−05 2.918E−07 0.000E+00 17 1.000E+00 9.517E−053.227E−06 −6.273E−08 2.917E−10 18 1.000E+00 9.730E−05 2.655E−06−3.199E−08 6.854E−11 [Various Data] Variable magnification ratio 2.83 WT f 10.3 29.1 FNO  3.56 5.66 2ω 77.0° 31.4° Y  8.19 8.19 W M T (Uponfocusing on an infinitely distant Object) f 10.300 18.663 29.100 d618.137 7.139 2.319 d14 1.600 6.535 12.018 d16 5.189 7.498 10.589 BF13.299 13.299 13.299 TL 47.750 43.997 47.750 (Upon focusing on a closedistance Object) D 200.000 200.000 200.000 d6 18.137 7.139 2.319 d142.100 8.032 15.454 d16 4.689 6.001 7.152 BF 13.299 13.299 13.299 TL47.750 43.997 47.750 [Lens Group Data] ST f G1  1 −14.356 G2  7 13.818G3 15 −22.812 G4 17 30.732 [Vibration Reduction Data] W M T f 10.30018.663 29.100 Z 0.139 0.146 0.168 θ 0.624 0.500 0.500 K 0.804 1.1181.511 [Values for Conditional Expressions] (1-1) |f2vr|/fw = 2.664 (1-2)|f2vr|/f2 = 1.986 (1-3) m12/fw = 1.536 (2-1) |f2i|/fw = 2.664 (2-2)|f2i|/f2 = 1.986 (2-3) m12/fw = 1.536

FIGS. 8A and 8B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing onan infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the third example ofthe present application.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are respectively graphs showing coma aberrations at thetime when vibration reduction is carried out against rotational camerashake of 0.624° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in thewide-angle end state of the zoom lens and against rotational camerashake of 0.500° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the third example ofthe present application.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zooming lens system according to the present example correctswell the various aberrations from the wide-angle end state to thetelephoto end state throughout, and further exhibits the high opticalperformances even upon conducting vibration reduction.

Fourth Example

FIGS. 10A and 10B are respectively sectional views showing a zoomoptical system in a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state,according to a fourth example that is common to the first and secondembodiments of the present application.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of a firstlens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2having positive refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negativerefractive power and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractivepower.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from an object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L12 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side and image side lens surfaces areaspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, afront lens group G2F having positive refractive power, an aperture stopS, and a rear lens group G2R having positive refractive power.

The front lens group G2F consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L21 having aconvex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive lens L22having a double convex shape. The negative meniscus lens L21 is a glassmold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is asphericallyshaped.

The rear lens group G2R consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L23 having aconvex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive lens L24having a double convex shape.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L31is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are spherically shaped.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a positive meniscus lens L41 havinga convex surface facing the image side. The positive meniscus lens L41is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are spherically shaped.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis and thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased. Incidentally, the position of thefourth lens group G4 is fixed upon varying magnification. The front lensgroup G2F, the aperture stop S and the rear lens group G2R of the secondlens group G2 are moved in a body upon varying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above,vibration reduction is carried out by moving the rear lens group G2R inthe second lens group G2 as a movable group to have a component in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis.

Table 4 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 4 Fourth Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 106.318 0.8001.603 65.440  2 10.056 2.861  *3 143.575 1.000 1.623 58.163  *4 14.0710.423  5 11.120 2.300 2.001 25.455  6 15.538 Variable  *7 13.167 0.8001.689 31.160  8 10.273 2.367 1.498 82.570  9 −30.189 1.500  10 (S) ∞2.779  11 18.410 0.800 1.583 46.422  12 7.012 3.193 1.498 82.570  13−30.652 Variable *14 63.684 0.800 1.623 58.163 *15 11.500 Variable *16−27.536 2.900 1.583 59.460 *17 −11.202 BF I ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data]m κ A4 A6 A8 A10 3 1.000E+00 −8.371E−07 3.721E−06 −2.590E−08 0.000E+00 41.000E+00 −4.169E−06 3.663E−06 6.939E−09 −4.421E−10 7 1.000E+00−7.051E−05 −5.833E−07 3.934E−08 −8.656E−10 14 1.000E+00 5.363E−04−1.981E−05 3.911E−07 −5.635E−09 15 1.000E+00 7.643E−04 −1.714E−051.457E−07 0.000E+00 16 1.000E+00 7.120E−05 3.106E−06 −5.397E−082.399E−10 17 1.000E+00 9.425E−05 2.054E−06 −2.025E−08 1.922E−11 [VariousData] Variable magnification ratio 2.83 W T f 10.3 29.1 FNO 3.56 5.66 2ω77.0° 31.4° Y 8.19 8.19 W M T (Upon focusing on an infinitely distantObject) f 10.300 18.719 29.100 d6 18.449 7.402 2.629 d13 1.600 6.57812.020 d15 5.178 7.477 10.578 BF 13.299 13.299 13.299 TL 47.750 43.98047.750 (Upon focusing on a close Object) D 200.000 200.000 200.000 d618.449 7.402 2.629 d13 2.100 8.086 15.463 d15 4.678 5.969 7.136 BF13.299 13.299 13.299 TL 47.750 43.980 47.750 [Lens Group Data] ST f G1 1−14.399 G2 7 13.808 G3 14 −22.674 G4 16 30.395 [Vibration ReductionData] W M T f 10.300 18.719 29.100 Z 0.145 0.152 0.175 θ 0.624 0.5000.500 K 0.775 1.077 1.452 [Values for Conditional Expressions] (1-1)|f2vr|/fw = 2.771 (1-2) |f2vr|/f2 = 2.067 (1-3) m12/fw = 1.536 (2-1)|f2i|/fw = 2.771 (2-2) |f2i|/f2 = 2.067 (2-3) m12/fw = 1.536

FIGS. 11A and 11B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon an infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the fourth example ofthe present application.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are respectively graphs showing coma aberrations atthe time when vibration reduction is carried out against rotationalcamera shake of 0.624° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object inthe wide-angle end state of the zoom lens and against rotational camerashake of 0.500° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the fourth example ofthe present application.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zooming lens system according to the present example correctswell the various aberrations from the wide-angle end state to thetelephoto end state throughout, and further exhibits the high opticalperformances even upon conducting vibration reduction.

Fifth Example

FIGS. 13A and 13B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to afifth example that is common to the first and second embodiments of thepresent application.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of a firstlens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2having positive refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negativerefractive power and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractivepower.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from an object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L12 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side and image side lens surfaces areaspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 is composed of, in order from the object side,a front lens group G2F having positive refractive power, an aperturestop S, and a rear lens group G2R having positive refractive power.

The front lens group G2F consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L21 having aconvex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive lens L22having a double convex shape. The negative meniscus lens L21 is a glassmold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is asphericallyshaped.

The rear lens group G2R consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a positive lens L23 having a double convexshape cemented with a negative meniscus lens L24 having a concavesurface facing the object side.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L31is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are spherically shaped.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a positive meniscus lens L41 havinga convex surface facing the image side. The positive meniscus lens L41is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis and thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased. Incidentally, the position of thefourth lens group G4 is fixed upon varying magnification. The front lensgroup G2F, the aperture stop S and the rear lens group G2R of the secondlens group G2 are moved in a body upon varying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above,vibration reduction is carried out by moving the rear lens group G2R inthe second lens group G2 as a movable group to have a component in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis.

Table 5 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 5 Fifth Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 88.142 0.8001.603 65.440  2 9.905 2.982  *3 210.317 1.000 1.623 58.163  *4 14.4710.351  5 11.109 2.232 2.001 25.455  6 15.535 Variable  *7 12.853 0.8001.689 31.160  8 9.651 2.483 1.498 82.570  9 −25.272 1.500  10 (S) ∞2.982  11 38.663 2.959 1.498 82.570  12 −7.387 0.800 1.583 46.422  13−18.053 Variable *14 62.590 0.800 1.623 58.163 *15 11.500 Variable *16−30.304 2.900 1.583 59.460 *17 −11.634 BF I ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data]m κ A4 A6 A8 A10 3 1.000E+00 5.701E−06 3.172E−06 −2.105E−08 0.000E+00 41.000E+00 −3.719E−06 3.592E−06 −2.523E−09 −2.835E−10 7 1.000E+00−8.356E−05 −4.804E−08 3.953E−08 −1.452E−09 14 1.000E+00 5.370E−04−1.971E−05 5.561E−07 −1.276E−08 15 1.000E+00 7.313E−04 −1.349E−057.835E−08 0.000E+00 16 1.000E+00 9.440E−05 2.643E−06 −5.709E−082.373E−10 17 1.000E+00 1.188E−04 1.670E−06 −2.423E−08 −1.067E−11[Various Data] Variable magnification ratio 2.83 W T f 10.3 29.1 FNO3.56 5.66 2ω 77.0° 31.4° Y 8.19 8.19 W M T (Upon focusing on aninfinitely distant Object) f 10.300 18.707 29.100 d6 18.352 7.209 2.442d13 1.600 6.675 12.110 d15 5.209 7.356 10.609 BF 13.299 13.299 13.298 TL47.750 43.831 47.750 (Upon focusing on a close distance Object) D200.000 200.000 200.000 d6 18.352 7.209 2.442 d13 2.100 8.191 15.553 d154.709 5.841 7.165 BF 13.299 13.299 13.298 TL 47.750 43.831 47.750 [LensGroup Data] ST f G1 1 −14.390 G2 7 13.895 G3 14 −22.764 G4 16 30.631[Vibration Reduction Data] W M T f 10.300 18.707 29.100 Z 0.161 0.1670.190 θ 0.624 0.500 0.500 K 0.696 0.980 1.336 [Values for ConditionalExpressions] (1-1) |f2vr|/fw = 2.932 (1-2) |f2vr|/f2 = 2.174 (1-3)m12/fw = 1.545 (2-1) |f2i|/fw = 2.932 (2-2) |f2i|/f2 = 2.174 (2-3)m12/fw = 1.545

FIGS. 14A and 14B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon an infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the fifth example ofthe present application.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are respectively graphs showing coma aberrations atthe time when vibration reduction is carried out against rotationalcamera shake of 0.624° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object inthe wide-angle end state and against rotational camera shake of 0.500°upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in the telephoto endstate of the zoom lens according to the fifth example of the presentapplication.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zooming lens system according to the present example correctswell the various aberrations from the wide-angle end state to thetelephoto end state throughout, and further exhibits the high opticalperformances even upon conducting vibration reduction.

Sixth Example

FIGS. 16A and 16B are respectively sectional views showing a zoomoptical system in a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state,according to a sixth example that is common to the first and secondembodiments of the present application.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of a firstlens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2having positive refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negativerefractive power and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractivepower.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from an object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L12 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side and image side lens surfaces areaspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 is composed of, in order from the object side,a front lens group G2F having positive refractive power, an aperturestop S, and a rear lens group G2R having positive refractive power.

The front lens group G2F consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a positive lens L21 having a double convexshape cemented with a negative meniscus lens L22 having a concavesurface facing the object side. The positive lens L21 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is asphericallyshaped.

The rear lens group G2R consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L23 having aconvex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive lens L24having a double convex shape.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L31is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a positive meniscus lens L41 havinga convex surface facing the image side. The positive meniscus lens L41is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis and thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased. Incidentally, the position of thefourth lens group G4 is fixed upon varying magnification. Further, thefront lens group G2F, the aperture stop S and the rear lens group G2R ofthe second lens group G2 are moved in a body upon varying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above,vibration reduction is carried out by moving the cemented lensconstructed by the negative meniscus lens L23 cemented with the positivelens L24, as a movable lens, to have a component in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis.

Table 6 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 6 Sixth Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 45.595 0.8001.603 65.440  2 9.305 3.897  *3 105.000 1.000 1.623 58.163  *4 14.9400.100  5 12.251 2.300 2.001 25.455  6 17.488 Variable  *7 17.546 2.7641.623 58.163  8 −11.264 0.800 1.603 38.028  9 −98.822 1.500  10 (S) ∞1.387  11 19.920 0.800 1.583 46.422  12 7.418 2.957 1.498 82.570  13−30.797 0.418  14 69.148 1.200 1.498 82.570  15 −235.478 Variable *1684.505 0.800 1.623 58.163 *17 11.200 Variable *18 −48.331 2.762 1.58359.460 *19 −13.370 BF I ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data] m κ A4 A6 A8 A10 31.000E+00 −1.989E−04 4.989E−06 −2.793E−08 0.000E+00 4 1.000E+00−2.392E−04 5.104E−06 −1.433E−08 −2.533E−10 7 1.000E+00 −6.515E−05−2.091E−07 −5.039E−09 5.126E−10 16 1.000E+00 2.128E−04 3.675E−06−3.902E−07 6.158E−09 17 1.000E+00 3.722E−04 1.473E−06 −2.115E−070.000E+00 18 1.000E+00 2.156E−05 2.295E−06 −5.042E−08 2.351E−10 191.000E+00 5.297E−05 1.731E−06 −3.031E−08 5.877E−11 [Various Data]Variable magnification ratio 2.83 W T f 10.3 29.1 FNO 3.56 5.66 2ω 77.0°31.4° Y 8.19 8.19 W M T (Upon focusing on an infinitely distant Object)f 10.300 20.160 29.100 d6 19.196 6.353 2.334 d15 1.600 6.308 9.827 d174.618 8.326 12.191 BF 13.300 13.297 13.299 TL 48.900 44.472 47.837 (Uponfocusing on a close distance Object) D 200.000 200.000 200.000 d6 19.1966.353 2.334 d15 2.058 7.811 12.661 d17 4.161 6.823 9.357 BF 13.30013.296 13.299 TL 48.900 44.472 47.837 [Lens Group Data] ST f G1 1−15.508 G2 7 13.604 G3 16 −20.824 G4 18 30.800 [Vibration ReductionData] W M T f 10.300 20.160 29.100 Z 0.145 0.162 0.184 θ 0.624 0.5000.500 K 0.771 1.089 1.383 [Values for Conditional Expressions] (1-1)|f2vr|/fw = 2.313 (1-2) |f2vr|/f2 = 1.751 (1-3) m12/fw = 1.637 (2-1)|f2i|/fw = 2.313 (2-2) |f2i|/f2 = 1.751 (2-3) m12/fw = 1.637

FIGS. 17A and 17B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon an infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the sixth example ofthe present application.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are respectively graphs showing coma aberrations atthe time when vibration reduction is carried out against rotationalcamera shake of 0.624° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object inthe wide-angle end state and against rotational camera shake of 0.500°upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in the telephoto endstate of the zoom lens according to the sixth example of the presentapplication.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zooming lens system according to the present example correctswell the various aberrations from the wide-angle end state to thetelephoto end state throughout, and further exhibits the high opticalperformances upon conducting vibration reduction.

Seventh Example

FIGS. 19A and 19B are respectively sectional views showing a zoomoptical system in a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state,according to a seventh example that is common to the first and secondembodiments of the present application.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of a firstlens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2having positive refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negativerefractive power and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractivepower.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from an object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L12 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side and image side lens surfaces areaspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 is composed of, in order from the object side,a front lens group G2F having positive refractive power, an aperturestop S, and a rear lens group G2R having positive refractive power.

The front lens group G2F consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a positive lens L21 having a double convexshape cemented with a negative meniscus lens L22 having a concavesurface facing the object side. The positive lens L21 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is asphericallyshaped.

The rear lens group G2R consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L23 having aconvex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive lens L24having a double convex shape.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side, apositive meniscus lens L41 having a convex surface facing the image sideand a positive lens L42 having a double convex shape. Each of thepositive meniscus lens L41 and the positive lens L42 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side lens surface and image side lenssurface are spherically shaped.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis, and thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased. Incidentally, the position of thefourth lens group G4 is fixed upon varying magnification. Further, thefront lens group G2F, the aperture stop S and the rear lens group G2R ofthe second lens group G2 are moved in a body upon varying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above,vibration reduction is carried out by moving the rear lens group G2R inthe second lens group G2 as a movable group to have a component in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis.

Table 7 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 7 Seventh Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 49.983 0.8001.603 65.440  2 9.505 3.797  *3 105.000 1.000 1.623 58.163  *4 15.5580.100  5 12.387 2.300 2.001 25.455  6 17.350 Variable  *7 17.524 2.5691.623 58.163  8 −10.281 0.800 1.603 38.028  9 −57.158 1.500  10 (S) ∞2.772  11 18.079 0.800 1.583 46.422  12 6.987 3.000 1.498 82.570  13−30.422 Variable  14 67.175 0.800 1.623 58.163  15 11.200 Variable *16−36.612 2.616 1.583 59.460 *17 −12.977 0.300 *18 1000.000 1.115 1.58359.460 *19 −210.703 BF I ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data] m κ A4 A6 A8 A10 31.000E+00 −1.815E−04 4.949E−06 −2.802E−08 0.000E+00 4 1.000E+00−2.152E−04 4.869E−06 −9.757E−09 −2.834E−10 7 1.000E+00 −5.840E−05−1.272E−06 8.962E−08 −2.229E−09 16 1.000E+00 2.682E−06 4.729E−06−1.432E−07 1.899E−09 17 1.000E+00 1.508E−04 2.729E−06 −7.215E−080.000E+00 18 1.000E+00 7.330E−05 1.194E−06 −2.778E−08 2.807E−11 191.000E+00 7.834E−05 1.005E−06 −1.240E−08 −1.054E−10 [Various Data]Variable magnification ratio 2.83 W T f 10.3 29.1 FNO 3.56 5.66 2ω 77.0°31.4° Y 8.19 8.19 W M T (Upon focusing on an infinitely distant Object)f 10.300 20.356 29.100 d6 19.255 6.343 2.342 d13 1.600 6.867 10.960 d153.777 7.568 10.723 BF 13.299 13.299 13.299 TL 48.900 45.046 48.293 (Uponfocusing on a close distance Object) D 200.000 200.000 200.000 d6 19.2556.343 2.342 d13 2.102 8.572 14.245 d15 3.275 5.863 7.438 BF 13.29913.299 13.299 TL 48.900 45.046 48.293 [Lens Group Data] ST f G1 1−15.658 G2 7 14.031 G3 14 −21.707 G4 16 29.815 [Vibration ReductionData] W M T f 10.300 20.356 29.100 Z 0.144 0.157 0.176 θ 0.624 0.5000.500 K 0.779 1.134 1.441 [Values for Conditional Expressions] (1-1)|f2vr|/fw = 2.718 (1-2) |f2vr|/f2 = 1.996 (1-3) m12/fw = 1.642 (2-1)|f2i|/fw = 2.718 (2-2) |f2i|/f2 = 1.996 (2-3) m12/fw = 1.642

FIGS. 20A and 20B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon an infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the seventh example ofthe present application.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are respectively graphs showing coma aberrations atthe time when vibration reduction is carried out against rotationalcamera shake of 0.624° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object inthe wide-angle end state and against rotational camera shake of 0.500°upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in the telephoto endstate of the zoom lens according to the seventh example of the presentapplication.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zooming lens system according to the present example correctswell the various aberrations from the wide-angle end state to thetelephoto end state throughout, and further exhibits the high opticalperformances even upon conducting vibration reduction.

Eighth Example

FIGS. 22A and 22B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to aneighth example of the first embodiment of the present application.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of a firstlens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2having positive refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negativerefractive power and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractivepower.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from an object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The negative meniscus lenses L11 and L12 each isa glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side and image side lenssurfaces are aspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 is composed of, in order from the object side,a front lens group G2F having positive refractive power, an aperturestop S, and a rear lens group G2R having positive refractive power.

The front lens group G2F consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a positive lens L21 having a double convexshape cemented with a negative meniscus lens L22 having a concavesurface facing the object side. The positive meniscus lens L21 is aglass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface isaspherically shaped.

The rear lens group G2R consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L23 having aconvex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive lens L24having a double convex shape.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a negative lens L31 having a double concaveshape cemented with a positive meniscus lens L32 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The positive meniscus lens L32 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose image side lens surface is asphericallyshaped.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a positive meniscus lens L41 havinga convex surface facing the image side. The positive meniscus lens L41is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image side lens surface isaspherically shaped.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis, and thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side, such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased.

Incidentally, the position of the fourth lens group G4 is fixed uponvarying magnification. The front lens group G2F, the aperture stop S andthe rear lens group G2R of the second lens group G2 are moved in a bodyupon varying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above,vibration reduction is carried out by moving the front lens group G2F inthe second lens group G2 as a movable group to have a component in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis.

Table 8 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 8 Eighth Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  *1 41.364 0.8001.697 55.460  *2 10.676 3.644  *3 92.728 0.800 1.623 58.163  *4 11.3620.300  5 11.589 2.116 2.001 25.458  6 17.859 Variable  *7 19.709 4.0001.498 82.570  8 −10.373 0.800 1.593 35.271  9 −17.799 4.717  10 (S) ∞3.881  11 14.096 0.800 1.702 41.018  12 8.189 2.400 1.498 82.570  13−29.442 Variable  14 −173.316 0.800 1.532 48.779  15 6.986 1.000 1.68931.160 *16 9.416 Variable  17 −65.070 2.430 1.497 81.558 *18 −13.885 BFI ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data] m κ A4 A6 A8 A10 1 1.000E+00 1.895E−05−8.057E−08 1.203E−09 0.000E+00 2 1.000E+00 1.352E−04 −2.937E−07−1.567E−08 0.000E+00 3 1.000E+00 −9.934E−05 8.829E−07 −4.475E−090.000E+00 4 1.000E+00 −2.433E−04 2.518E−06 1.027E−08 0.000E+00 71.000E+00 −7.257E−05 −3.785E−07 1.817E−08 0.000E+00 16 1.000E+001.393E−04 −4.903E−07 −1.723E−08 0.000E+00 18 1.000E+00 −1.372E−054.080E−08 −1.307E−09 0.000E+00 [Various Data] Variable magnificationratio 2.83 W T f 10.3 29.1 FNO 3.56 5.66 2ω 77.0° 31.4° Y 8.19 8.19 W MT (Upon focusing on an infinitely distant Object) f 10.300 19.073 29.100d6 19.180 7.156 1.819 d13 1.002 4.723 8.893 d16 2.530 7.777 11.898 BF13.800 13.800 13.800 TL 51.200 48.144 51.097 (Upon focusing on a closedistance Object) D 200.000 200.000 200.000 d6 19.180 7.156 1.819 d131.424 5.840 11.184 d16 2.108 6.660 9.607 BF 13.800 13.800 13.800 TL51.200 48.144 51.097 [Lens Group Data] ST f G1 1 −14.672 G2 7 14.776 G314 −18.879 G4 17 34.956 [Vibration Reduction Data] W M T f 10.300 19.07329.100 Z 0.087 0.101 0.126 θ 0.624 0.500 0.500 K 1.293 1.651 2.017[Values for Conditional Expressions] (1-1) |f2vr|/fw = 2.044 (1-2)|f2vr|/f2 = 1.425 (1-3) m12/fw = 1.686

FIGS. 23A and 23B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon an infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the eighth example ofthe present application.

FIGS. 24A and 24B are respectively graphs showing coma aberrations atthe time when vibration reduction is carried out against rotationalcamera shake of 0.624° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object inthe wide-angle end state and against rotational camera shake of 0.500°upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in the telephoto endstate of the zoom lens according to the eighth example of the presentapplication.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zooming lens system according to the present example correctswell the various aberrations from the wide-angle end state to thetelephoto end state throughout, and further exhibits the high opticalperformances even upon conducting vibration reduction.

Ninth Example

FIGS. 25A and 25B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to aninth example of the first embodiment of the present application.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of a firstlens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2having positive refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negativerefractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractivepower and a fifth lens group G5 having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from an object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L12 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side and image side lens surfaces areaspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 is composed of, in order from the object side,a front lens group G2F having positive refractive power, an aperturestop S, and a rear lens group G2R having positive refractive power.

The front lens group G2F consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a positive lens L21 having a double convexshape cemented with a negative meniscus lens L22 having a concavesurface facing the object side. The positive meniscus lens L21 is aglass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface isaspherically shaped.

The rear lens group G2R consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L23 having aconvex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive lens L24having a double convex shape.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L31is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a positive meniscus lens L41 havinga convex surface facing the image side. The positive meniscus lens L41is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of a positive lens 51 having a doubleconvex shape.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 and the fourth lens group G4 are movedalong the optical axis, and the second lens group G2 and the third lensgroup G3 are moved along the optical axis toward the object side, suchthat an air distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lensgroup G2 is decreased, an air distance between the second lens group G2and the third lens group G3 is increased, an air distance between thethird lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4 is increased and an airdistance between the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5 isvaried. Incidentally, the position of the fifth lens group G5 is fixedupon varying magnification. Further, the front lens group G2F, theaperture stop S and the rear lens group G2R of the second lens group G2are moved in a body upon varying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

In the zoom lens of the present example, vibration reduction is carriedout by moving the rear lens group G2R in the second lens group G2 as amovable group to have a component in a direction perpendicular to theoptical axis.

Table 9 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 9 Ninth Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 46.214 0.8001.603 65.440  2 9.455 3.704  *3 66.876 1.000 1.623 58.163  *4 13.6270.251  5 11.862 2.300 2.001 25.455  6 16.694 Variable  *7 17.515 2.4061.623 58.163  8 −9.943 0.800 1.603 38.028  9 −66.732 1.500  10 (S) ∞2.920  11 17.632 0.800 1.583 46.422  12 7.009 2.942 1.498 82.570  13−32.172 Variable *14 50.543 0.800 1.623 58.163 *15 11.200 Variable *16−39.592 2.522 1.583 59.460 *17 −13.816 Variable  18 1000.000 1.138 1.58359.460  19 −185.156 BF I ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data] m κ A4 A6 A8 A10 31.000E+00 −1.574E−04 4.358E−06 −2.353E−08 0.000E+00 4 1.000E+00−2.003E−04 4.247E−06 −1.333E−09 −3.237E−10 7 1.000E+00 −5.432E−05−7.941E−07 4.408E−08 −9.972E−10 14 1.000E+00 −1.087E−04 1.017E−05−2.054E−07 2.789E−10 15 1.000E+00 2.298E−05 9.118E−06 −1.945E−070.000E+00 16 1.000E+00 1.332E−04 −2.972E−07 −1.673E−08 1.213E−11 171.000E+00 1.279E−04 1.508E−07 −1.498E−08 −3.985E−11 [Various Data]Variable magnification ratio 2.83 W T f 10.3 29.1 FNO 3.56 5.66 2ω 77.0°31.4° Y 8.19 8.19 W M T (Upon focusing on an infinitely distant Object)f 10.300 20.399 29.100 d6 19.238 6.325 2.465 d13 1.600 7.004 11.124 d153.879 7.526 11.128 d17 0.300 0.525 0.300 BF 14.250 14.250 14.250 TL48.900 45.263 48.900 (Upon focusing on a close distance Object) D200.000 200.000 200.000 d6 19.238 6.325 2.465 d13 2.138 8.847 14.624 d153.341 5.682 7.627 d17 0.300 0.525 0.300 BF 14.250 14.250 14.250 TL48.900 45.263 48.900 [Lens Group Data] ST f G1 1 −15.692 G2 7 14.237 G314 −23.291 G4 16 35.128 G5 18 268.010 [Vibration Reduction Data] W M T f10.300 20.399 29.100 Z 0.143 0.156 0.175 θ 0.624 0.500 0.500 K 0.7841.142 1.455 [Values for Conditional Expressions] (1-1) |f2vr|/fw = 2.718(1-2) |f2vr|/f2 = 1.967 (1-3) m12/fw = 1.628

FIGS. 26A and 26B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon an infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the ninth example ofthe present application.

FIGS. 27A and 27B are respectively graphs showing coma aberrations atthe time when vibration reduction is carried out against rotationalcamera shake of 0.624° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object inthe wide-angle end state and against rotational camera shake of 0.500°upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in the telephoto endstate of the zoom lens according to the ninth example of the presentapplication.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zooming lens system according to the present example correctswell the various aberrations from the wide-angle end state to thetelephoto end state throughout, and further exhibits the high opticalperformances even upon conducting vibration reduction.

According to the said first to ninth examples, it is possible to realizea zoom lens which is short in the entire length, downsized and light inweight, which can correct superbly chromatic aberration at both timeswhen vibration reduction is conducted and no vibration reduction isconducted, and which has excellent optical performances.

Hereinafter, a zoom lens according to numerical examples of the thirdembodiment of the present application will be explained with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

Tenth Example

FIGS. 28A and 28B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to atenth example of the third embodiment of the present application.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of, in orderfrom an object side, a first lens group G1 having negative refractivepower, a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power, a thirdlens group G3 having negative refractive power and a fourth lens groupG4 having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L12 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side and image side lens surfaces areaspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a positive lens L21 having a double convexshape cemented with a negative meniscus lens L22 having a concavesurface facing the object side, an aperture stop S and a cemented lensconstructed by a negative meniscus lens L23 having a convex surfacefacing the object side cemented with a positive lens L24 having a doubleconvex shape. The positive lens L21 is a glass mold type aspherical lenswhose object side lens surface is aspherically shaped.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L31is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a positive meniscus lens L41 havinga convex surface facing the image side. The positive meniscus lens L41is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis and thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side, such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased.

Incidentally, the position of the fourth lens group G4 is fixed uponvarying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

Table 10 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 10 Tenth Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 234.198 0.8001.618 63.3  2 10.139 2.598  *3 104.171 1.000 1.623 58.2  *4 13.875 0.489 5 11.360 2.222 2.001 25.5  6 16.191 Variable  *7 16.228 2.724 1.61963.9  8 −10.495 0.800 1.603 38.0  9 −35.530 1.500  10 (S) ∞ 2.919  1117.997 0.800 1.583 46.5  12 6.891 3.028 1.498 82.6  13 −30.452 Variable*14 70.323 0.800 1.619 63.9 *15 11.725 Variable *16 −23.210 2.893 1.51763.9 *17 −10.545 BF I ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data] m κ A4 A6 A8 A10 31.000E+00 5.896E−05 2.075E−06 −1.269E−08 0.000E+00 4 1.000E+00 4.789E−051.866E−06 8.533E−09 −2.754E−10 7 1.000E+00 −6.693E−05 −2.872E−07−1.175E−08 1.194E−09 14 1.000E+00 7.428E−04 −3.644E−05 1.001E−06−1.552E−08 15 1.000E+00 1.000E−03 −3.068E−05 4.236E−07 0.000E+00 161.000E+00 7.202E−05 4.723E−06 −7.472E−08 3.145E−10 17 1.000E+009.722E−05 3.060E−06 −1.991E−08 −3.234E−11 [Various Data] Variablemagnification ratio 2.83 W T f 10.3 29.1 FNO 3.6 5.7 2ω 75.7° 30.7° Y8.19 8.19 TL 63.1 59.9 W M T (Upon focusing on an infinitely distantObject) f 10.30 18.53 29.10 d6 17.92 7.24 2.29 d13 1.60 6.29 11.95 d155.21 7.80 10.64 BF 13.30 13.30 13.30 (Upon focusing on a close distanceObject) D 200.00 200.00 200.00 d6 17.92 7.24 2.29 d13 2.07 7.72 15.32d15 4.74 6.37 7.26 BF 13.30 13.30 13.30 [Lens Group Data] ST f G1  1−14.25 G2  7 13.72 G3 14 −22.72 G4 16 30.57 [Values for ConditionalExpressions] m3 = 5.43 fst = 3.38 (3-1) m3/fw = 0.53 (3-2) (r42 +r41)/(r42 − r41) = −2.67 (3-3) fst/m3 = 0.62 (3-4) (−f3)/fw = 2.21

FIGS. 29A and 29B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon an infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the tenth example ofthe present application.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zooming lens system according to the present example correctswell the various aberrations from the wide-angle end state to thetelephoto end state throughout, and further exhibits the high opticalperformances.

Eleventh Example

FIGS. 30A and 30B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state according to an11-th example of the third embodiment of the present application.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of, in orderfrom an object side, a first lens group G1 having negative refractivepower, a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power, a thirdlens group G3 having negative refractive power and a fourth lens groupG4 having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L12 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side and image side lens surfaces areaspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a positive lens L21 having a double convexshape cemented with a negative meniscus lens L22 having a concavesurface facing the object side, an aperture stop S and a cemented lensconstructed by a negative meniscus lens L23 having a convex surfacefacing the object side cemented with a positive lens L24 having a doubleconvex shape. The positive lens L21 is a glass mold type aspherical lenswhose object side lens surface is aspherically shaped.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L31is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a positive meniscus lens L41 havinga convex surface facing the image side. The positive meniscus lens L41is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are aspherically shaped.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis and thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side, such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased.

Incidentally, the position of the fourth lens group G4 is fixed uponvarying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

Table 11 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 11 Eleventh Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 131.9260.800 1.618 63.3  2 9.887 2.207  *3 22.899 1.000 1.623 58.2  *4 9.0890.862  5 11.594 1.892 2.001 25.5  6 17.515 Variable  *7 15.735 3.2181.619 63.9  8 −10.904 0.800 1.603 38.0  9 −75.326 2.678  10 (S) ∞ 1.500 11 16.112 0.800 1.583 46.5  12 6.544 2.114 1.498 82.6  13 −31.376Variable *14 39.745 0.800 1.619 63.9 *15 10.560 Variable *16 −23.0302.584 1.517 63.9 *17 −10.518 BF I ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data] m κ A4 A6A8 A10 3 1.000E+00 −3.833E−04 9.067E−06 −6.487E−08 7.866E−11 4 1.000E+00−5.554E−04 8.416E−06 −3.144E−08 −7.595E−10 7 1.000E+00 −6.517E−05−1.259E−06 3.629E−08 8.838E−11 14 1.000E+00 8.336E−04 −3.542E−051.312E−07 3.038E−08 15 1.000E+00 1.164E−03 −4.103E−05 8.025E−07−4.760E−09 16 1.000E+00 1.801E−04 1.181E−06 −3.912E−08 1.795E−11 171.000E+00 1.621E−04 1.593E−06 −2.352E−08 −1.206E−10 [Various Data]Variable magnification ratio 2.88 W T f 10.2 29.4 FNO 3.6 6.4 2ω 76.2°30.4° Y 8.19 8.19 TL 63.0 59.2 W M T (Upon focusing on an infinitelydistant Object) f 10.20 20.00 29.40 d6 18.51 6.32 2.14 d13 1.57 6.5611.21 d15 5.36 8.74 11.31 BF 13.30 13.30 13.30 (Upon focusing on a closedistance Object) D 200.00 200.00 200.00 d6 18.51 6.32 2.14 d13 1.98 8.1514.40 d15 4.95 7.16 8.12 BF 13.30 13.30 13.30 [Lens Group Data] ST f G1 1 −14.43 G2  7 13.57 G3 14 −23.49 G4 16 35.00 [Values for ConditionalExpressions] m3 = 5.95 fst = 3.19 (3-1) m3/fw = 0.58 (3-2) (r42 +r41)/(r42 − r41) = −2.68 (3-3) fst/m3 = 0.54 (3-4) (−f3)/fw = 2.30

FIGS. 31A and 31B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon an infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the 11-th example ofthe present application.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zooming lens system according to the present example correctswell the various aberrations from the wide-angle end state to thetelephoto end state throughout, and further exhibits the high opticalperformances.

Twelfth Example

FIGS. 32A and 32B are respectively sectional views showing a zoomoptical system in a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end stateaccording to a 12-th example of the third embodiment of the presentapplication.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of, in orderfrom an object side, a first lens group G1 having negative refractivepower, a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power, a thirdlens group G3 having negative refractive power and a fourth lens groupG4 having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L12 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side and image side lens surfaces areaspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a positive lens L21 having a double convexshape cemented with a negative meniscus lens L22 having a concavesurface facing the object side, an aperture stop S and a cemented lensconstructed by a negative meniscus lens L23 having a convex surfacefacing the object side cemented with a positive lens L24 having a doubleconvex shape. The positive lens L21 is a glass mold type aspherical lenswhose object side lens surface is aspherically shaped.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L31is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are spherically shaped.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a positive meniscus lens L41 havinga convex surface facing the image side. The positive meniscus lens L41is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface andimage side lens surface are spherically shaped.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis and thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side, such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased. Incidentally, the position of thefourth lens group G4 is fixed upon varying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

Table 12 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 12 12-th Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 46.250 0.8001.618 63.3  2 9.071 2.923  *3 65.166 1.000 1.619 63.7  *4 11.707 0.576 5 12.414 1.756 2.001 25.5  6 19.421 Variable  *7 16.791 4.129 1.61963.9  8 −10.239 0.800 1.603 38.0  9 −51.266 1.500  10 (S) ∞ 1.500  1118.401 0.800 1.583 46.5  12 6.931 3.163 1.498 82.6  13 −27.503 *1494.732 0.800 1.619 63.9 *15 13.489 Variable *16 −15.587 2.523 1.517 63.9*17 −8.834 BF I ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data] m κ A4 A6 A8 A10 3 1.000E+00−3.493E−04 9.551E−06 −9.426E−08 3.168E−10 4 1.000E+00 −4.421E−041.007E−05 −8.974E−08 2.250E−11 7 1.000E+00 −7.028E−05 −8.151E−073.411E−08 −4.721E−10 14 1.000E+00 1.115E−03 −3.903E−05 6.896E−082.986E−08 15 1.000E+00 1.425E−03 −3.788E−05 5.432E−08 2.514E−08 161.000E+00 1.441E−04 5.894E−07 −2.786E−10 −1.123E−09 17 1.000E+002.175E−04 2.668E−07 4.907E−08 −1.168E−09 [Various Data] Variablemagnification ratio 2.88 W T f 10.2 29.4 FNO 3.6 5.8 2ω 76.2° 30.4° Y8.19 8.19 TL 63.1 59.3 W M T (Upon focusing on an infinitely distantObject) f 10.20 20.00 29.40 d6 17.52 5.71 1.70 d13 1.57 6.75 11.51 d155.66 8.89 11.52 BF 13.04 13.04 13.04 (Upon focusing on a close distanceObject) D 200.00 200.00 200.00 d6 17.52 5.71 1.70 d13 2.05 8.52 15.05d15 5.18 7.11 7.98 BF 13.04 13.04 13.04 [Lens Group Data] ST f G1  1−14.31 G2  7 13.55 G3 14 −25.51 G4 16 35.00 [Values for ConditionalExpressions] m3 = 5.86 fst = 3.55 (3-1) m3/fw = 0.57 (3-2) (r42 +r41)/(r42 − r41) = −3.62 (3-3) fst/m3 = 0.61 (3-4) (−f3)/fw = 2.50

FIGS. 33A and 33B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon an infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the 12-th example ofthe present application.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zooming lens system according to the present example correctswell the various aberrations from the wide-angle end state to thetelephoto end state throughout, and further exhibits the high opticalperformances.

Thirteenth Example

FIGS. 34A and 34B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state according to an13-th example of the third embodiment of the present application.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of, in orderfrom an object side, a first lens group G1 having negative refractivepower, a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power, a thirdlens group G3 having negative refractive power and a fourth lens groupG4 having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L12 is a glass moldtype aspherical lens whose object side and image side lens surfaces areaspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, acemented lens constructed by a positive lens L21 having a double convexshape cemented with a negative meniscus lens L22 having a concavesurface facing the object side, an aperture stop S and a cemented lensconstructed by a negative meniscus lens L23 having a convex surfacefacing the object side cemented with a positive lens L24 having a doubleconvex shape. The positive lens L21 is a glass mold type aspherical lenswhose object side lens surface is aspherically shaped.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side, apositive meniscus lens L41 having a convex surface facing the image sideand a positive lens L42 having a double convex shape. Incidentally, eachof the positive meniscus lens L41 and the positive lens L42 is a glassmold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface and image sidelens surface are aspherically shaped.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis and thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased. Incidentally, the position of thefourth lens group G4 is fixed upon varying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

Table 13 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 13 13-th Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 49.983 0.8001.603 65.440  2 9.505 3.797  *3 105.000 1.000 1.623 58.163  *4 15.5580.100  5 12.387 2.300 2.001 25.455  6 17.350 Variable  *7 17.524 2.5691.623 58.163  8 −10.281 0.800 1.603 38.028  9 −57.158 1.500  10 (S) ∞2.772  11 18.079 0.800 1.583 46.422  12 6.987 3.000 1.498 82.570  13−30.422 Variable  14 67.175 0.800 1.623 58.163  15 11.200 Variable *16−36.612 2.616 1.583 59.460 *17 −12.977 0.300 *18 1000.000 1.115 1.58359.460 *19 −210.703 BF I ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data] m κ A4 A6 A8 A10 31.000E+00 −1.815E−04 4.949E−06 −2.802E−08 0.000E+00 4 1.000E+00−2.152E−04 4.869E−06 −9.757E−09 −2.834E−10 7 1.000E+00 −5.840E−05−1.272E−06 8.962E−08 −2.229E−09 16 1.000E+00 2.682E−06 4.729E−06−1.432E−07 1.899E−09 17 1.000E+00 1.508E−04 2.729E−06 −7.215E−080.000E+00 18 1.000E+00 7.330E−05 1.194E−06 −2.778E−08 2.807E−11 191.000E+00 7.834E−05 1.005E−06 −1.240E−08 −1.054E−10 [Various Data]Variable magnification ratio 2.83 W T f 10.3 29.1 FNO 3.56 5.66 2ω 77.0°31.4° Y 8.19 8.19 TL 48.90 48.29 W M T (Upon focusing on an infinitelydistant Object) f 10.30 20.356 29.100 d6 19.255 6.343 2.342 d13 1.6006.867 10.960 d15 3.777 7.568 10.723 BF 13.299 13.299 13.299 (Uponfocusing on a close Object) D 200.000 200.000 200.000 d6 19.255 6.3432.342 d13 2.102 8.572 14.245 d15 3.275 5.863 7.438 BF 13.299 13.29913.299 [Lens Group Data] ST f G1  1 −15.658 G2  7 14.031 G3 14 −21.707G4 16 29.815 [Values for Conditional Expressions] m3 = 6.95 fst = 3.29(3-1) m3/fw = 0.67 (3-2) (r42 + r41)/(r42 − r41) = −2.10 (3-3) fst/m3 =0.47 (3-4) (−f3)/fw = 2.11

FIGS. 35A and 35B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon an infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the 13-th example ofthe present application.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zoom lens according to the present example corrects well thevarious aberrations from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto endstate throughout, and further exhibits the high optical performances.

According to the said 10-th to 13-th examples, it is possible to realizea zoom lens which is short in the entire length, downsized and light inweight so that it can be held in a small lens barrel, and which hasexcellent optical performances.

Hereinafter, a zoom lens according to numerical examples of the fourthembodiment of the present application will be explained with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

14-th Example

FIGS. 36A and 36B are respectively sectional views showing a zoom lensin a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state, according to a14-th example of the fourth embodiment of the present application.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of, in orderfrom an object side, a first lens group G1 having negative refractivepower, a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power, a thirdlens group G3 having negative refractive power and a fourth lens groupG4 having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. An object side lens surface and an image sidelens surface of the negative meniscus lens L12 are aspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side, afirst segment group G2 a having positive refractive power, a secondsegment group G2 b having negative refractive power, an aperture stop Sand a third segment group G2 c having positive refractive power.

The first segment group G2 a consists of a positive lens L21 having adouble convex shape.

The second segment group G2 b consists of a negative meniscus lens L22having a concave surface facing the object side. An object side lenssurface of the negative meniscus lens L22 is aspherical.

The third segment group G2 c consists of, in order from the object side,a cemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L23 having aconvex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive lens L24having a double convex shape.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side. An object side lens surface andan image side lens surface of the negative meniscus lens L31 areaspherical.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a positive meniscus lens L41 havinga convex surface facing the image side. An image side lens surface ofthe positive meniscus lens L41 is aspherical.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis and thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side, such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased. Incidentally, the position of thefourth lens group G4 is fixed upon varying magnification. The firstsegment group G2 a, the second segment group G2 b, the aperture stop Sand the third segment group G2 c in the second lens group G2 are movedin a body upon varying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

In the zoom lens of the present example, vibration reduction is carriedout by moving the second segment group G2 b in the second lens group G2as a movable group to have a component in a direction perpendicular tothe optical axis.

Table 14 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 14 14-th Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 78.892 0.801.7450 52.4  2 10.034 1.71  *3 17.452 1.00 1.8512 40.0  *4 9.307 0.98  512.455 2.27 2.0007 25.5  6 26.745 Variable  7 15.912 1.59 1.6380 61.0  8−36.986 1.13  *9 −14.015 0.80 1.4978 82.6  10 −36.732 1.15  11 (S) ∞0.90  12 13.073 0.80 1.6133 35.8  13 5.489 2.81 1.4978 82.6  14 −33.124Variable *15 −32.118 0.80 1.5452 63.7 *16 43.926 Variable  17 −77.1982.73 1.6263 60.3 *18 −16.492 BF I ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data] m κ A4 A6A8 A10 3 0.000E+00 1.232E−04 −1.192E−06 9.574E−09 −1.191E−11 4 0.000E+00−9.802E−06 −1.437E−06 −1.507E−08 −7.874E−11 9 0.000E+00 2.704E−053.771E−06 −1.175E−07 0.000E+00 15 0.000E+00 4.690E−04 3.430E−05−9.148E−07 0.000E+00 16 0.000E+00 6.793E−04 3.487E−05 −8.133E−070.000E+00 18 0.000E+00 5.620E−05 −1.305E−06 4.685E−09 7.830E−12 [VariousData] W T f 10.20 29.40 FNO 3.6 6.35 2ω 77.6° 31.2° Y 8.20 8.20 TL 58.0358.47 BF 12.89 12.89 (Upon focusing on an infinitely distant Object) W MT f 10.20 18.60 29.40 d6 18.13 6.61 1.45 d14 2.12 7.29 13.58 d16 5.418.01 11.16 BF 12.89 12.89 12.89 [Lens Group Data] ST f G1  1 −16.57 G2 7 14.62 G3 15 −33.90 G4 17 32.92 [Vibration Reduction Data] W M T f10.20 18.60 29.40 Z 0.18 0.25 0.30 θ 0.5 0.5 0.5 K −0.50 −0.65 −0.84[Values for Conditional Expressions] fvr = −46.06 (4-1) |fw/fvr| = 0.22(4-2) fw/f2 = 0.70 (4-3) |f2/fvr| = 0.32

FIGS. 37A and 37B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon an infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the 14-th example ofthe present application.

FIGS. 38A and 38B are respectively graphs showing coma aberrations atthe time when vibration reduction is carried out against rotationalcamera shake of 0.5° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object inthe wide-angle end state and against rotational camera shake of 0.5°upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in the telephoto endstate of the zoom lens according to the 14-th example of the presentapplication.

FIGS. 39A and 39B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon a close distance object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the 14-th example ofthe present application.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zoom lens according to the present example corrects well thevarious aberrations from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto endstate throughout, and further exhibits the high optical performanceseven when vibration reduction is carried out.

15-th Example

FIGS. 40A and 40B are respectively sectional views showing a zoomoptical system in a wide angle end state and in a telephoto end state,according to a 15-th example of the fourth embodiment of the presentapplication.

The zoom lens according to the present example is composed of, in orderfrom an object side, a first lens group G1 having negative refractivepower, a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power, a thirdlens group G3 having negative refractive power and a fourth lens groupG4 having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of, in order from the object side, anegative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the objectside, a negative meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing theobject side, and a positive meniscus lens L13 having a convex surfacefacing the object side. An image side lens surface of the negativemeniscus lens L12 is aspherically shaped.

The second lens group G2 is composed of, in order from the object side,a first segment group G2 a having positive refractive power, a secondsegment group G2 b having negative refractive power, an aperture stop Sand a third segment group G2 c having positive refractive power.

The first segment group G2 a consists of a positive lens L21 having adouble convex shape. An object side lens surface of the positivemeniscus lens L21 is aspherical.

The second segment group G2 b consists of, in order from the objectside, a cemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L22 havinga convex surface facing the object side cemented with a positivemeniscus lens L23 having a convex surface facing the object side.

The third segment group G2 c consists of a positive lens L24 having adouble convex shape.

The third lens group G3 consists of a negative meniscus lens L31 havinga convex surface facing the object side. An image side lens surface ofthe negative meniscus lens L31 is aspherical.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a plano convex positive lens L41having a convex surface facing the object side. An image side lenssurface of the positive lens L41 is aspherical.

In the zoom lens of the present example being constructed as above, uponvarying magnification from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group G1 is moved along the optical axis and thesecond lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 are moved along theoptical axis toward the object side, such that an air distance betweenthe first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 is decreased, anair distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens groupG3 is increased, and an air distance between the third lens group G3 andthe fourth lens group G4 is increased.

Incidentally, the position of the fourth lens group G4 is fixed uponvarying magnification. The first segment group G2 a, the second segmentgroup G2 b, the aperture stop S and the third segment group G2 c in thesecond lens group G2 are moved in a body upon varying magnification.

In the zoom lens of the present example, focusing from an infinitedistance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving thethird lens group G3 along the optical axis toward the image side.

In the zoom lens of the present example, vibration reduction is carriedout by moving the first segment group G2 a in the second lens group G2as a movable group to have a component in a direction perpendicular tothe optical axis.

Table 15 below shows various values associated with the zoom lensaccording to the present example.

TABLE 15 15-th Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 65.074 1.001.7678 49.7  2 10.582 2.22  3 21.472 1.00 1.7766 48.7  *4 9.015 0.60  511.386 2.67 2.0006 25.5  6 22.956 Variable  *7 15.422 1.20 1.4978 82.6 8 −460.710 1.48  9 9.744 0.60 1.8081 22.7  10 6.869 1.20 1.8830 40.8 11 7.816 2.11  12 (S) ∞ 1.50  13 14.686 1.63 1.4978 82.6  14 −19.110Variable  15 10.782 0.80 1.6908 36.5 *16 7.017 Variable  17 ∞ 2.501.7007 56.3 *18 −28.026 BF I ∞ [Aspherical Surface Data] m κ A4 A6 A8A10 4 0.000E+00 −1.642E−04 −1.853E−07 −1.249E−08 −2.299E−10 7 0.000E+00−1.148E−04 9.544E−07 −2.877E−08 −5.249E−10 16 0.000E+00 −2.139E−051.247E−06 −5.518E−08 0.000E+00 18 0.000E+00 4.282E−05 −1.969E−061.391E−08 −3.253E−11 [Various Data] W T f 10.2 29.40 FNO 3.6 6.35 2ω77.6° 31.2° Y 8.20 8.20 TL 59.06 59.06 BF 12.58 12.58 (Upon focusing onan infinitely distant Object) W M T f 10.20 19.99 29.40 d6 17.84 5.241.15 d14 1.61 7.63 12.53 d16 6.50 9.11 12.31 BF 12.58 12.58 12.58 [LensGroup Data] ST f G1  1 −15.4661 G2  7 14.4691 G3 15 −31.8519 G4 1740.0000 [Vibration Reduction Data] W M T f 10.20 19.99 29.40 Z 0.07 0.100.12 θ 0.3 0.3 0.3 K 0.80 1.04 1.27 [Values for Conditional Expressions]fvr = 30.00 (4-1) |fw/fvr| = 0.34 (4-2) fw/f2 = 0.70 (4-3) |f2/fvr| =0.48

FIGS. 41A and 41B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon an infinitely distant object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the 15-th example ofthe present application.

FIGS. 42A and 42B are respectively graphs showing coma aberrations atthe time when vibration reduction is carried out against rotationalcamera shake of 0.3° upon focusing on the infinitely distant object inthe wide-angle end state and against rotational camera shake of 0.3°upon focusing on the infinitely distant object in the telephoto endstate of the zoom lens according to the 15-th example of the presentapplication.

FIGS. 43A and 43B are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusingon a close distance object in the wide-angle end state and in thetelephoto end state of the zoom lens according to the 15-th example ofthe present application.

As apparent from the respective aberration diagrams, it is understoodthat the zooming lens system according to the present example correctswell the various aberrations from the wide-angle end state to thetelephoto end state throughout, and further exhibits the high opticalperformances even when vibration reduction is carried out.

According to the said 14-th and 15-th examples, it is possible torealize a zoom lens which is short in the entire length, small sized andlight in weight and which has excellent optical performances.

According to each example as above-mentioned, it is possible to realizea zoom lens having high optical performances.

Note that each of the above described examples is a concrete example ofthe invention of the present application, and the invention of thepresent application is not limited to them. The contents described belowcan be adopted without deteriorating optical performances of the zoomlens of the present application.

Although the zoom lens having four or five group configuration wereillustrated above as numerical examples of the zoom lens according tothe first to fourth embodiments of the present application, the presentapplication is not limited to them and the zoom lens having otherconfigurations (such as six group configuration and the like) can beconfigured. Concretely, a lens configuration that a lens or a lens groupis added to the most object side as well as to the most image side ofthe zoom lens according to the first to fourth embodiments of thepresent application is also possible.

Further, in the zoom lens according to the first to fourth embodimentsof the present application, a portion of a lens group, a single lensgroup in the entirety thereof, or a plurality of lens groups can bemoved in the direction of the optical axis as a focusing lens group. Itis particularly preferable that at least a portion of the third lensgroup is moved as the focusing lens group. The focusing lens group canbe used for auto focus, and suitable for being driven by a motor forauto focus such as an ultrasonic motor.

Further, in the zoom lens according to the first to fourth embodimentsof the present application, any lens group in the entirety thereof or aportion thereof can be so moved, as a vibration reduction lens group, tohave a component in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, orrotationally moved (swayed) in an in-plane direction including theoptical axis for carrying out vibration reduction. Particularly, in thezoom lens according to the first to fourth embodiments of the presentapplication, it is preferable that at least a portion of the second lensgroup is used as a vibration reduction lens group.

Further, in the zoom lens according to the first to fourth embodimentsof the present application, a lens surface of a lens may be a sphericalsurface, an aspherical surface or a plane surface. When a lens surfaceis a spherical surface or a plane surface, lens processing, assemblingand adjustment become easy, and it is possible to prevent deteriorationin optical performance caused by errors in lens processing, assemblingand adjustment, so that it is preferable. Moreover, even if an imageplane is shifted, deterioration in representation performance is little,so that it is preferable. When a lens surface is an aspherical surface,the aspherical surface may be fabricated by a grinding process, a glassmolding process that a glass material is formed into an aspherical shapeby a mold, or a compound type process that a resin material on a glasslens surface is formed into an aspherical shape. A lens surface may be adiffractive optical surface, and a lens may be a graded-index type lens(GRIN lens) or a plastic lens.

Further, in the zoom lens according to the first to fourth embodimentsof the present application, it is preferable that an aperture stop isdisposed in the second lens group, and the function may be substitutedby a lens frame without disposing a member as an aperture stop.

Moreover, the lens surface(s) of the lenses configuring the zoom lensaccording to the first to fourth embodiments of the present applicationmay be coated with anti-reflection coating(s) having a hightransmittance in a broad wave range. With this contrivance, it isfeasible to reduce a flare as well as ghost and attain a high opticalperformance with high contrast.

Further, in the zoom lens according to the first and second embodimentsof the present application, it is preferable that, in the second lensgroup, the front lens group and the rear lens group each has at leastone negative lens and at least one positive lens. With thisconfiguration, chromatic aberration can be corrected by both of thefront lens group and the rear lens group.

Further, in the zoom lens according to the first and second embodimentsof the present application, it is preferable that at least a portion ofone of the front lens group and the rear lens group in the second lensgroup is made to be a movable group, and when other lens group(s) thanthe movable group included in the second lens group is(are) made to befixed group(s), the movable group and the fixed group each includes atone negative lens and at least one positive lens. With thisconfiguration, it is possible to realize a zoom lens by whichlongitudinal chromatic aberration and lateral chromatic aberration uponconducting no vibration reduction and longitudinal chromatic aberrationand lateral chromatic aberration upon conducting vibration reduction arecorrected in well balanced manner, thereby chromatic aberrations beingcorrected superbly at both times when vibration reduction is conductedand when no vibration reduction is conducted.

Next, a camera equipped with the zoom lens according to the first tofourth embodiments of the present application, will be explained withreference to FIG. 44.

FIG. 44 is a view showing a configuration of a camera equipped with thezoom lens according to the first to fourth embodiments of the presentapplication.

A camera 1 shown in FIG. 44 is a lens interchangeable type so-calledmirror-less camera equipped with the zoom lens according to the firstexample as an imaging lens 2, as shown in FIG. 44.

In the camera 1, light emitted from an unillustrated object (an objectto be imaged) is converged by the imaging lens 2, and forms an image ofthe object to be imaged on an imaging plane of an imaging part 3 throughan unillustrated OLPF (optical low pass filter). The image of the objectto be imaged is photo-electronically converted through aphoto-electronic conversion element provided in the imaging part 3 toform an object image. This object image is displayed on an EVF(electronic view finder) 4 provided on the camera 1. Thus, aphotographer can observe the object image through EVF 4.

When the photographer presses an unillustrated release button, theobject image formed through the imaging part 3 is stored in anunillustrated memory. Thus, the photographer can take a picture of theobject to be imaged by the camera 1.

The zoom lens according to the first example mounted on the camera 1 asthe imaging lens 2 is a zoom lens having a high optical performance.Accordingly, the camera 1 can realize a high optical performance.Incidentally, even if the camera is so composed that the zoom lensaccording to the second to 15-th examples is mounted on the camera asthe imaging lens 2, the same effect can be attained as the camera 1.

Next, an outline of each of methods for manufacturing the zoom lensaccording to the first to fourth embodiments of the present applicationis described with referring to FIG. 46 to FIG. 48.

In a method for manufacturing a zoom lens according to the firstembodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 45, the zoomlens comprises, in order from an object side: a first lens group havingnegative refractive power; a second lens group having positiverefractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive power;and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. The methodcomprises the following steps of S11 to S14:

Step S11: disposing the second lens group to include, in order from theobject side, a front lens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lensgroup.

Step S12: disposing the first to fourth lens groups in a lens barrelsuch that the front lens group and the rear lens group each includes atleast one negative lens.

Step S13: by, for example, providing a known movement mechanism at thelens barrel, constructing a distance between the first lens group andthe second lens group, a distance between the second lens group and thethird lens group, and a distance between the third lens group and thefourth lens group to be varied upon varying magnification.

Step S14: by, for example, providing a known movement mechanism at thelens barrel, constructing such that at least a portion of lenses in thesecond lens groups is moved as a movable group to have a component in adirection perpendicular to the optical axis.

Thus, the method for manufacturing the zoom lens according to the firstembodiment of the present application can manufacture a zoom lens bywhich chromatic aberrations can be corrected excellently at both timeswhen vibration reduction is conducted and when vibration reduction isnot conducted, and which has superb optical performances.

In a method for manufacturing a zoom lens according to the secondembodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 46, the zoomlens comprises, in order from an object side: a first lens group havingnegative refractive power; a second lens group having positiverefractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive power;and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. The methodcomprises the following steps of S21 to S24:

Step S21: disposing the second lens group to include, in order from theobject side, a front lens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lensgroup.

Step S22: disposing the first to fourth lens groups in a lens barrelsuch that the front lens group and the rear lens group each includes atleast one negative lens.

Step S23: by, for example, providing a known movement mechanism at thelens barrel, constructing such that a distance between the first lensgroup and the second lens group, a distance between the second lensgroup and the third lens group, and a distance between the third lensgroup and the fourth lens group to be varied upon varying magnificationfrom the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state.

Step S24: by, for example, providing a known movement mechanism at thelens barrel, constructing such that at least a portion of lenses in therear lens groups is moved to have a component in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis.

Thus, the method for manufacturing the zoom lens according to the secondembodiment of the present application can manufacture a zoom lens bywhich chromatic aberrations can be corrected excellently at both timeswhen vibration reduction is conducted and when vibration reduction isnot conducted, and which has superb optical performances.

In a method for manufacturing a zoom lens according to the thirdembodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 47, the zoomlens comprises, in order from an object side: a first lens group havingnegative refractive power; a second lens group having positiverefractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive power;and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. The methodcomprises the following steps of S31 to S34:

Step S31: disposing the first to fourth lens groups in a lens barrel inorder from the object side. Providing a known movement mechanism in thelens barrel such that the third lens group is moved along the opticalaxis and a distance between the first lens group and the second lensgroup, a distance between the second lens group and the third lens groupand a distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens groupare varied upon varying magnification from the wide-angle end state tothe telephoto end state.

Step S32: disposing such that the third lens group satisfies thefollowing conditional expression (3-1):0.50<m3/fw<0.80  (3-1)where m3 denotes an amount of movement of the third lens group uponvarying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto endstate, and fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in the wide angleend state.

Thus, the method for manufacturing the zoom lens according to the thirdembodiment of the present application can manufacture a small-sized zoomlens whose entire length is short and which has a high opticalperformance.

In a method for manufacturing a zoom lens according to the fourthembodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 48, the zoomlens comprises, in order from an object side: a first lens group havingnegative refractive power; a second lens group having positiverefractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive power;and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. The methodcomprises the following steps of S41 to S45:

Step S41: disposing the second lens group to include, in order from theobject side, a first segment group having positive refractive power, asecond segment group having negative refractive power, an aperture stopand a third segment group, and disposing the first to fourth lens groupsin a lens barrel in order from the object side.

Step S42: by, for example, providing a known movement mechanism at thelens barrel, constructing such that the position of the fourth lensgroup is fixed and the first to third lens groups are movable along theoptical axis.

Step S43: by, for example, providing a known movement mechanism at thelens barrel, disposing at least a portion of the third lens group ismovable along the optical axis.

Step S44: by, for example, providing a known movement mechanism at thelens barrel, disposing such that the first segment group or the secondsegment group in the second lens group is movable as a movable group tohave a component in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Step S45: disposing such that the movable group satisfies the followingconditional expression (4-1):0.15<|fw/fvr|<0.50  (4-1)where fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in the wide angle endstate, and fvr denotes a focal length of the movable group.

Thus, the method for manufacturing the zoom lens according to the fourthembodiment of the present application can manufacture a zoom lens whichis small sized and which has superb optical performances.

What is claimed is:
 1. A zoom lens comprising, in order from an objectside: a first lens group having negative refractive power; a second lensgroup having positive refractive power; a third lens group havingnegative refractive power and a fourth lens group having positiverefractive power; upon varying magnification, a distance between thefirst lens group and the second lens group, a distance between thesecond lens group and the third lens group and a distance between thethird lens group and the fourth lens group being varied; the second lensgroup including, in order from the object side, a front lens group, anaperture stop, and a rear lens group; each of the front lens group andthe rear lens group including at least one positive lens; and at least apart of the lenses in the second lens group being moved as a movablegroup to have a component in a direction perpendicular to an opticalaxis.
 2. A zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the followingconditional expression is satisfied:1.00<|f2vr|/fw<4.00 where f2vr denotes a focal length of the movablegroup; and fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in a wide angleend state.
 3. A zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the followingconditional expression is satisfied:0.50<|f2vr|/f2<5.00 where f2vr denotes a focal length of the movablegroup; and f2 denotes a focal length of the second lens group.
 4. A zoomlens according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expressionis satisfied:1.00<m12/fw<2.00 where m12 denotes an amount of variation in a distancealong the optical axis from a most image side lens surface in the firstlens group to a most object side lens surface in the second lens groupupon varying magnification from a wide angle end state to a telephotoend state; and fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in the wideangle end state.
 5. A zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein uponvarying magnification from a wide angle end state to a telephoto endstate, the first lens group, the second lens group and the third lensgroup are moved along the optical axis and a position of the lens groupdisposed at a most image side is fixed.
 6. A zoom lens according toclaim 1, wherein the front lens group includes at least two lenses andhas at least one aspherical surface.
 7. A zoom lens according to claim1, wherein upon varying magnification from a wide-angle end state to atelephoto end state, the third lens group is moved along the opticalaxis; and the following conditional expression is satisfied:0.50<m3/fw<0.80 where m3 denotes an amount of movement of the third lensgroup upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to thetelephoto end state, and fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens inthe wide angle end state.
 8. A zoom lens according to claim 7, whereinthe fourth lens group comprises a meniscus lens having a convex surfacefacing an image side.
 9. A zoom lens according to claim 8, wherein thefollowing conditional expression is satisfied:−5.00<(r42+r41)/(r42−r41)<−1.30 where r41 denotes curvature radius of anobject side lens surface of the meniscus lens in the fourth lens group;and r42 denotes curvature radius of an image side lens surface of themeniscus lens in the fourth lens group.
 10. A zoom lens according toclaim 1, wherein in the second lens group the front lens group consistsof, in order from the object side, a first segment group having positiverefractive power and a second segment group having negative refractivepower, and the rear lens group consists of a third segment group; uponvarying magnification, the first lens group, the second lens group andthe third lens group are moved along the optical axis, and a position ofthe fourth lens group is fixed; upon focusing, at least a part of thethird lens group is moved along the optical axis; the first segmentgroup or the second segment group in the second lens group is moved as amovable group to have a component in a direction perpendicular to theoptical axis; and the following conditional expression is satisfied:0.15<|fw/fvr|<0.50 where fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in awide angle end state, and fvr denotes a focal length of said movablegroup.
 11. An optical apparatus being characterized in being equippedwith the zoom lens according to claim
 1. 12. A zoom lens comprising, inorder from an object side: a first lens group having negative refractivepower; a second lens group having positive refractive power; a thirdlens group having negative refractive power and a fourth lens grouphaving positive refractive power; the second lens group including, inorder from the object side, a first segment group having positiverefractive power, a second segment group having negative refractivepower, an aperture stop and a third segment group having positiverefractive power; upon varying magnification, the first lens group, thesecond lens group and the third lens group being moved along the opticalaxis, upon focusing, at least a part of the third lens group being movedalong an optical axis; the first segment group or the second segmentgroup in the second lens group being moved as a movable group to have acomponent in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis; and thefollowing conditional expression being satisfied:0.15<|fw/fvr|<0.50 where fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in awide angle end state, and fvr denotes a focal length of said movablegroup.
 13. A zoom lens according to claim 12, wherein the followingconditional expression is satisfied:0.50<fw/f2<0.90 where fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in thewide angle end state; and f2 denotes a focal length of the second lensgroup.
 14. A zoom lens according to claim 12, wherein the followingconditional expression is satisfied:0.20<|f2/fvr|<0.60 where f2 denotes a focal length of the second lensgroup; and fvr denotes a focal length of the movable group.
 15. Anoptical apparatus being characterized in being equipped with the zoomlens according to claim
 12. 16. A method for manufacturing a zoom lenscomprising, in order from an object side: a first lens group havingnegative refractive power; a second lens group having positiverefractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive powerand a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, comprising thesteps of: disposing the second lens group to include, in order from theobject side, a front lens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lensgroup; disposing the front lens group and the rear lens group such thateach includes at least one positive lens; disposing such that, uponvarying magnification, a distance between the first lens group and thesecond lens group, a distance between the second lens group and thethird lens group and a distance between the third lens group and thefourth lens group are varied; and disposing at least a part of thelenses in the second lens group to be moved as a movable group to have acomponent in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis.
 17. A methodfor manufacturing a zoom lens comprising, in order from an object side:a first lens group having negative refractive power; a second lens grouphaving positive refractive power; a third lens group having negativerefractive power and a fourth lens group having positive refractivepower, comprising the steps of: disposing the second lens group toinclude, in order from an object side, a first segment group havingpositive refractive power, a second segment group having negativerefractive power, an aperture stop and a third segment group having apositive refractive power; disposing such that, upon varyingmagnification, the first lens group, the second lens group and the thirdlens group are moved along an optical axis; disposing such that, uponfocusing, at least a part of the third lens group is moved along theoptical axis; disposing such that the first segment group or the secondsegment group in the second lens group is moved as a movable group tohave a component in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis; anddisposing such that the movable group satisfies the followingconditional expression:0.15<|fw/fvr|<0.50 where fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens in awide angle end state, and fvr denotes a focal length of said movablegroup.